Compositions and methods for modulating immune responses

ABSTRACT

This invention discloses methods and compositions for modulating immune responses, which involve particulate delivery of agents to immune cells, wherein the agents comprise an inhibitor of the NF-κB signaling pathway and an antigen that corresponds to a target antigen. The methods and compositions of the present invention are particularly useful in the treatment or prophylaxis of an undesirable immune response associated with the target antigen, including autoimmune diseases, allergies and transplantation associated diseases.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to methods and compositions formodulating immune responses. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to the particulate delivery of agents to immune cells, whereinthe agents comprise an inhibitor of the NF-κB signaling pathway and anantigen that corresponds to a target antigen. The methods andcompositions of the present invention are particularly useful in thetreatment or prophylaxis of an undesirable immune response associatedwith the target antigen, including autoimmune diseases, allergies andtransplantation associated diseases.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

NF-κB transmits signals from the cell surface to the nucleus. Signalingthrough cell surface receptors to activate NF-κB and MAP kinases throughadaptor molecules is of critical importance to survival and activationof all cells in the body, including those regulating innate and adaptiveimmunity, including antigen-presenting cells such as dendritic cells(DC). As such, NF-κB is a key signaling component in autoimmunity and anattractive target for autoimmune disease therapy.

NF-κB Function

Five NF-κB proteins p50, p52, c-Rel, p65/RelA and RelB are present inmammals. All share a rel homology domain (RHD) that mediatesDNA-binding, dimerization and nuclear translocation. p50 and p52homodimers are transcriptionally inactive, but have the capacity to bindDNA. In contrast, c-rel or Rel A are able to bind DNA and p50 or p52 areable to bind DNA and mediate transcriptional activation. As a result,the availability of subunits and affinity determines the NF-κBcomposition of the cell (Hoffmann A, Baltimore D: Circuitry of nuclearfactor kappaB signaling. Immunol. Rev. (2006) 210:171-186).

In unstimulated cells, NF-κB is present as an inactive form in thecytoplasm bound to inhibitory proteins or IκBs, including IκBα, IκBβ,IκBε, IκBγ, IκBNS, Bc1-3, p100 and p105 (Ghosh S, M: Missing pieces inthe NF-kappaB puzzle. Cell (2002) 109 Suppl:S81-96). These proteinscontain ankyrin repeats consisting of two tightly packed helicesfollowed by a loop and a tight hairpin turn, which facilitate binding toNF-κB dimers. The NLS region of NF-κB enables dimer nuclear import. IκBβmasks the NLS, preventing nuclear import of dimers. In contrast, IκBαonly masks the NLS of p65 and not p50. Nuclear retention is normallyprevented by the presence of a nuclear export sequence in IκBα. If thisNF-κB export sequence is blocked, RelA/p50 complexes are retained in thenucleus (Huang Tt, Kudo N, Yoshida M, Miyamoto S: A nuclear exportsignal in the N-terminal regulatory domain of IkappaBalpha controlscytoplasmic localization of inactive NF-kappaB/IkappaBalpha complexes.Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. (2000) 97(3):1014-1019).

A variety of receptor-ligand pairs activate NF-κB, includingTLR/pathogen signals, inflammatory receptors (TNFR/TNF and IL-1R/IL-1),T cell (CD40/CD40L, TCR/MHC peptide) and B cell signals (BAFFR/BAFF,BCR/Ag) and differentiation signals such as lymphotoxin/LTβ andRANK/RANKL. Signaling these pathways leads to activation ofserine/threonine kinase IκB kinase (IKK) (Yamamoto Y, Gaynor R B:IkappaB kinases: key regulators of the NF-kappaB pathway. TrendsBiochem. Sci. (2004) 29(2):72-79). IKK phosphorylates IκB which isrecognized by a specific ubiquitin ligase complex, b-TrCP-SCF.Ubiquitinated IκB is degraded by the 26S proteasome, leading to releaseof NF-κB, nuclear import and transcriptional activation. The IKK complexconsists of 3 subunits including IKKα (IKK1), IKKβ (IKK2) and theassociated non-catalytic regulatory subunit IKKγ/NF-KB essentialmodulator (NEMO). IKK may be activated through phosphorylation bymitogen activated protein kinase kinase kinase (MAPKKK) or NF-κBinducing kinase (NIK), leading to subsequent autophosphorylation of theIKK complex and full activity. IKKβ and NEMO deficient mice haveimpaired NF-κB activation in response to cytokine and TLR activation,particularly activation of RelA/p50. In contrast, IKKα has a particularrole in activation of RelB/p52 complexes and histone phosphorylation toenhance NF-κB DNA binding.

The differential role of IKKα and IKKβ/NEMO in activating distinct NF-κBsubunits has led to the classification of the NF-κB pathway into theclassical and alternate pathways (referred to collectively herein as“the NF-KB pathway”) (Xiao G, Rabson A B, Young W, Qing G, Qu Z:Alternative pathways of NF-kappaB activation: a double-edged sword inhealth and disease. Cytokine Growth Factor Rev. (2006) 17(4):281-293).The classical pathway is activated by TLR and pro-inflammatorycytokines, leading to IKKβ and NEMO-dependent phosphorylation,degradation of IκB, and subsequent activation of RelA/p50 heterodimers.In the absence of continual signaling the pathway is rapidly shut down,as a result of reduced IKKβ activity and induction of IκB. In contrastthe alternate pathway is activated by signals associated with celldifferentiation, including LTβ, CD40L and BAFF. RelB/p52 heterodimersare the predominant NF-κB proteins induced, regulated by p100, theprecursor to p52, which contains an IκB domain target site forphosphorylation by IKKα. Signal-specific activation of IKKα results inprocessing of p100 to p52 and activation of RelB/p52. This pathway ischaracterized by sustained IKKα and long lasting activation of NF-κB.The alternate pathway appears to be an adaptation of the classical NF-κBpathway for cellular differentiation processes and is important in Bcell and DC differentiation and lymphoid organogenesis. NIK appears tobe an upstream kinase that activates IKKα. NIK, IKKα and RelB knockoutmice share similar defects in lymphoid organogenesis. Importantly, thereis some overlap in activation of the classical and alternate pathway;for example, LTβ signals both pathways and resulting target genes areactivated (Dejardin E, Droin N M, Delhase M et al.: The lymphotoxin-betareceptor induces different patterns of gene expression via two NF-kappaBpathways. Immunity (2002) 17(4):525-535). LPS, a typical classicalpathway activator, also leads to activation of the alternate pathway(Mordmuller B, Krappmann D, Esen M, Wegener E, Scheidereit C:Lymphotoxin and lipopolysaccharide induce NF-kappaB-p52 generation by aco-translational mechanism. EMBO Rep. (2003) 4(1):82-87). This may beessential for efficient differentiation of DC, which up-regulate bothNF-κB pathways following antigen encounter and migration into thesecondary lymphoid organs. Activation of the alternate pathway ensuresthat although newly synthesized IκBα inhibits RelA/p50, newlysynthesized RelB and processing of p100 to p52 leads to dimerreplacement or exchange with RelB/p52 and sustained DC differentiation(Saccani S, Pantano S, Natoli G: Modulation of NF-kappaB activity byexchange of dimers. Mol. Cell. (2003) 11(6):1563-1574).

In immune responses, NF-κB target genes are involved in inflammation,cellular organization and differentiation and proliferation. Tissuemacrophages are the major source of NF-κB-induced pro-inflammatorycytokines. NF-κB induced cytokines such as TNFα, IL-1 and IL-6 activateinnate responses leading to the release of c-reactive protein (CRP) andcomplement, and up-regulation of adhesion molecules by local endothelialcells. NF-κB-induced chemokines, including IL-8, MIP-1α, MCP-1, RANTESand eotaxin, and growth factors such as GM-CSF mobilize and redirectmyeloid cells to local tissue. The same set of responses as occurs toinfection also occurs in inflammatory autoimmune diseases, such asrheumatoid arthritis (RA) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

NF-κB has a role in lymphoid organogenesis through the induction of thechemokines CXC12, CXCL13, CCL21 and CCL19. NF-κB has a role in manystages of B and T cell differentiation (Claudio E, Brown K, SiebenlistU: NF-kappaB guides the survival and differentiation of developinglymphocytes. Cell Death Differ. (2006) 13(5):697-701) including a rolefor the alternate pathway in NKT cell development and for the classicaland alternate pathways in regulatory T cell (Treg) development(Schmidt-Supprian M, Tian J, Grant E P et al.: Differential dependenceof CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory and natural killer-like T cells on signalsleading to NF-kappaB activation. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. (2004)101(13):4566-4571; Schmidt-Supprian M, Courtois G, Tian J et al.: MatureT cells depend on signaling through the IKK complex. Immunity (2003)19(3):377-389; Zheng Y, Vig M, Lyons J, Van Parijs L, Beg A A: Combineddeficiency of p50 and cRel in CD4⁺ T cells reveals an essentialrequirement for nuclear factor kappaB in regulating mature T cellsurvival and in vivo function. J. Exp. Med. (2003) 197(7):861-874).c-Rel is also required for efficient IL-2 production by naïve T cells(Banerjee D, Liou H C, Sen R: c-Rel-dependent priming of naive T cellsby inflammatory cytokines. Immunity (2005) 23(4):445-458) and T reg arecritically dependent on IL-2 for post thymic survival (D'Cruz L M, KleinL: Development and function of agonist-induced CD25⁺Foxp3+ regulatory Tcells in the absence of interleukin 2 signaling. Nat. Immunol. (2005)6(11):1152-1159; Fontenot J D, Rasmussen J P, Gavin M A, Rudensky A Y: Afunction for interleukin 2 in Foxp3− expressing regulatory T cells. Nat.Immunol. (2005) 6(11):1142-1151). NF-κB plays an important role inproliferation of lymphocytes as well as non-hematopoetic cells such assynoviocytes, that hyperproliferate in RA. Relevant NF-κB target genesinclude c-myc, cyclin D1 and anti-apoptotic genes including c-IAP andBcl-2.

NF-κB in Autoimmune Inflammation

Autoimmune diseases result from a process involving three distinct butrelated components—a break in self tolerance, development of chronicinflammation in one or several organs, and if ongoing, tissuedestruction and its resultant detrimental effects. “Central” tolerancedefects are important contributors to spontaneous autoimmune disease. Inthe fetal and neonatal period, central tolerance is actively maintainedin the thymus (Ardavin C: Thymic dendritic cells. Immunol. Today (1997)18:350-361). During this process, a repertoire of T cells restricted toself-MHC displayed by the thymic cortical epithelium (cTEC) is selectedin each individual. In addition, those T cells reactive to self-antigenpresented by medullary antigen-presenting cells (APC), which includemedullary epithelial cells (mTEC) and medullary dendritic cells (DC),are deleted by negative selection above a threshold of affinity for selfantigens presented by those APC (Kappler J W, Roehm N, Marrack P: T celltolerance by clonal elimination in the thymus. Cell (1987) 49:273-280).Since an affinity threshold applies for central deletion ofself-reactive T cells, circulation of low-affinity self-reactive T cellsin the periphery is therefore inevitable. Low-level thymic expressionand presentation of self-antigens normally expressed by peripheralsomatic cells is common. Expression of these antigens istranscriptionally controlled by AIRE, whose expression is in turncontrolled by the alternate NF-κB pathway (Anderson M S, Venanzi Es,Klein L et al.: Projection of an immunological self shadow within thethymus by the aire protein. Science (2002) 298(5597):1395-1401). Inspontaneous autoimmune models, a variety of defects in the interactionof APC and thymocytes interferes with the normal process of negativeselection, thus permitting the release of autoreactive T cells into theperiphery, where subsequent environmental events more readily triggerautoimmune disease (Yoshitomi H, Sakaguchi N, Kobayashi K et al.: A rolefor fungal {beta}-glucans and their receptor Dectin-1 in the inductionof autoimmune arthritis in genetically susceptible mice. J. Exp. Med.(2005) 201(6):949-960). Commonly, viral or modified self-antigens, whichhave not been expressed in the thymus, are presented by peripheral DC toinitiate autoimmunity. A number of modified self-antigens have beendescribed in human autoimmune diseases.

Dendritic Cells

It has been proposed that DC are the critical decision making cells inthe immune system (Fazekas de St Groth B. The evolution ofself-tolerance: a new cell arises to meet the challenge ofself-reactivity. Immunol Today. 1998; 19:448-54). Through their role inthe generation of central and peripheral tolerance as well as in primingimmune responses and stimulation of memory and effector T cells, DC arelikely to play essential roles in both the initiation and perpetuationof autoimmunity and autoimmune diseases. However, the understanding ofthe means by which DC contribute to peripheral tolerance has opened theexciting possibility of harnessing them for antigen-specificimmunotherapy of autoimmune diseases and transplantation.

DC are now recognized as essential regulators of both innate andacquired arms of the immune system (Banchereau J, Steinman R M.Dendritic cells and the control of immunity. Nature. 1998 Mar. 19;392(6673):245-52). They are responsible for the stimulation of naive Tlymphocytes, a property that distinguishes them from all other antigenpresenting cells (APC). DC are also essential accessory cells in thegeneration of primary antibody responses (Inaba K, Steinman R M, VanVoorhis W C, Muramatsu S. Dendritic cells are critical accessory cellsfor thymus-dependent antibody responses in mouse and in man. Proc NatlAcad Sci USA. 1983 October; 80(19):6041-5) and are powerful enhancers ofNK cell cytotoxicity (Kitamura H, Iwakabe K, Yahata T, Nishimura S, OhtaA, Ohmi Y, et al. The natural killer T (NKT) cell ligandalpha-galactosylceramide demonstrates its immunopotentiating effect byinducing interleukin (IL)-12 production by dendritic cells and IL-12receptor expression on NKT cells. J Exp Med. 1999 Apr. 5;189(7):1121-8). DC are crucial for the initiation of primary immuneresponses of both helper and cytotoxic T lymphocytes, and thus act as“nature's adjuvant” (Schuler G, Steinman R M. Dendritic cells asadjuvants for immune-mediated resistance to tumors. J Exp Med. 1997 Oct.20; 186(8):1183-7). Conversely, DC are also involved in the maintenanceof tolerance to antigens. DC contribute to thymic central tolerance andshaping of the T cell repertoire by presenting antigens to T cells anddeleting those T cells that exhibit strong autoreactivity (Brocker T.Survival of mature CD4 T lymphocytes is dependent on majorhistocompatibility complex class II-expressing dendritic cells. J ExpMed. 1997 Oct. 20; 186(8):1223-32). However, DC also play a role inperipheral tolerance. Here, DC contribute by deletion of autoreactivelymphocytes and expansion of the population of regulatory T cells(Treg). Accordingly, DC offer potential utility in protective andtherapeutic strategies for tolerance restoration in autoimmune diseases.

DC precursors from the bone marrow migrate via the bloodstream toperipheral tissues where they reside as immature DC. Immature DCefficiently capture invading pathogens and other particulate and solubleantigens (Ag). After Ag uptake, DC rapidly cross the endothelium oflymphatic vessels and migrate to the draining secondary lymphoid organs.Following the uptake of immunogenic Ag and lymphatic migration, DCundergo a process of maturation, which is characterized bydownregulation of the capacity to capture Ag and upregulation of Agprocessing and presentation, expression of co-stimulatory molecules andaltered dendritic morphology (Steinman R M. The dendritic cell systemand its role in immunogenicity. Annu Rev Immunol. 1991; 9:271-96; CellaM, Sallusto F, Lanzavecchia A. Origin, maturation and antigen presentingfunction of dendritic cells. Curr Opin Immunol. 1997 February;9(1):10-6; Cella M, Scheidegger D, Palmer-Lehmann K, Lane P,Lanzavecchia A, Alber G. Ligation of CD40 on dendritic cells triggersproduction of high levels of interleukin-12 and enhances T cellstimulatory capacity: T-T help via APC activation. J Exp Med. 1996 Aug.1; 184(2):747-52). After presentation of Ag to naive T cells in the Tcell area of secondary lymphoid organs, most DC disappear, probably byapoptosis. Thus, under optimal conditions, the same DC sequentiallycarries out distinct functions such as capture and processing of Ag, Agpresentation to rare, naïve Ag-specific T cells and induction ofAg-specific T cell clonal expansion.

Considering the crucial role of DC in Ag processing and presentation andthus in the regulation of immune reactivity, DC are important directorsof immune responsiveness, through the interactions with respondinglymphocytes and other accessory cells. Broadly, evidence suggests thatunder steady state conditions, recruitment of DC precursors into tissuesand migration/maturation into secondary lymphoid organs occurs at lowrates and may favour tolerance induction. On the other hand, stimulationof immature DC leading to DC maturation and activation may induce aproductive immune response (Sallusto F, Lanzavecchia A. Mobilizingdendritic cells for tolerance, priming, and chronic inflammation. J ExpMed. 1999 Feb. 15; 189(4):611-4).

The process of DC maturation can be stimulated by various mechanisms,including pathogen-derived molecules (LPS, DNA, RNA), proinflammatorycytokines (TNFα, IL-1,IL-6), tissue factors such as hyaluronanfragments, migration of DC across endothelial barriers between inflamedtissues and lymphatics, and T cell-derived signals (CD154) (SparwasserT, Koch E S, Vabulas R M, Heeg K, Lipford G B, Ellwart J W, et al.Bacterial DNA and immunostimulatory CpG oligonucleotides triggermaturation and activation of murine dendritic cells. Eur J. Immunol.1998 June; 28(6):2045-54; Cella M, Salio M, Sakakibara Y, Langen H,Julkunen I, Lanzavecchia A. Maturation, activation, and protection ofdendritic cells induced by double-stranded RNA. J Exp Med. 1999 Mar. 1;189(5):821-9; De Smedt T, Pajak B, Muraille E, Lespagnard L, Heinen E,De Baetselier P, et al. Regulation of dendritic cell numbers andmaturation by lipopolysaccharide in vivo. J Exp Med. 1996 Oct. 1;184(4):1413-24). In contrast, anti-inflammatory signals, such as IL-10,TGFβ, prostaglandins, and corticosteroids tend to inhibit maturation (DeSmedt T, Van Mechelen M, De Becker G, Urbain J, Leo O, Moser M. Effectof interleukin-10 on dendritic cell maturation and function. Eur J.Immunol. 1997 May; 27(5):1229-35; Geissmann F, Revy P, Regnault A,Lepelletier Y, Dy M, Brousse N, et al. TGF-beta 1 prevents thenoncognate maturation of human dendritic Langerhans cells. J. Immunol.1999 Apr. 15; 162(8):4567-75; de Jong E C, Vieira P L, Kalinski P,Kapsenberg M L. Corticosteroids inhibit the production of inflammatorymediators in immature monocyte-derived DC and induce the development oftolerogenic DC3. J Leukoc Biol. 1999 August; 66(2):201-4). Thus, DCrepresent an attractive therapeutic target, either to enhance or toattenuate immunity for modulation of disease. To date, ex vivomodulation of DC and exposure to antigen before transfer into an animalor human recipient has been the major approach to achieve protective andtherapeutic immunity. This relates in part to complexity of the DCsystem in the context of a whole person with an immune system disorder,and in part to the difficulty of delivery of specific Ags andimmunomodulators to DC in vivo.

Role of NF-κB in Regulating Dc Function

The ability of a myeloid DC to induce immunity or tolerance is linked toits maturation state and thus to NF-κB activity (Dhodapkar M V, SteinmanR M, Krasovsky J, Munz C, Bhardwaj N. Antigen-specific inhibition ofeffector T cell function in humans after injection of immature dendriticcells. J Exp Med. 2001 Jan. 15; 193(2):233-8; Jonuleit H, Schmitt E,Schuler G, Knop J, Enk A H. Induction of interleukin 10-producing,nonproliferating CD4(+) T cells with regulatory properties by repetitivestimulation with allogeneic immature human dendritic cells. J Exp Med.2000 Nov. 6; 192(9):1213-22; Lutz M B, Kukutsch N A, Menges M, RossnerS, Schuler G. Culture of bone marrow cells in GM-CSF plus high doses oflipopolysaccharide generates exclusively immature dendritic cells whichinduce alloantigen-specific CD4 T cell anergy in vitro. Eur J. Immunol.2000 April; 30(4):1048-52: Mehling A, Grabbe S, Voskort M, Schwarz T,Luger T A, Beissert S. Mycophenolate mofetil impairs the maturation andfunction of murine dendritic cells. J. Immunol. 2000 Sep. 1;165(5):2374-81). Immature DC generated from murine BM induce T cellunresponsiveness in vitro and prolonged cardiac allograft survival (LutzM B, Suri R M, Niimi M, Ogilvie A L, Kukutsch N A, Rossner S, et al.Immature dendritic cells generated with low doses of GM-CSF in theabsence of IL-4 are maturation resistant and prolong allograft survivalin vivo. Eur J. Immunol. 2000 July; 30(7):1813-22). Various drugs andcytokines, and inhibitors of NF-κB inhibit myeloid DC maturation (deJong E C, Vieira P L, Kalinski P, Kapsenberg M L. Corticosteroidsinhibit the production of inflammatory mediators in immaturemonocyte-derived DC and induce the development of tolerogenic DC3. JLeukoc Biol. 1999 August; 66(2):201-4; Griffin M D, Lutz W, Phan V A,Bachman L A, McKean D J, Kumar R. Dendritic cell modulation by 1alpha,25dihydroxyvitamin D3 and its analogs: a vitamin D receptor-dependentpathway that promotes a persistent state of immaturity in vitro and invivo. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2001 Jun. 5; 98(12):6800-5; Hackstein H,Morelli A E, Larregina A T, Ganster R W, Papworth G D, Logar A J, et al.Aspirin inhibits in vitro maturation and in vivo immunostimulatoryfunction of murine myeloid dendritic cells. J. Immunol. 2001 Jun. 15;166(12):7053-62; Lee J I, Ganster R W, Geller D A, Burckart G J, ThomsonA W, Lu L. Cyclosporine A inhibits the expression of costimulatorymolecules on in vitro-generated dendritic cells: association withreduced nuclear translocation of nuclear factor kappa B.Transplantation. 1999 Nov. 15; 68(9):1255-63; Steinbrink K, Wolfi M,Jonuleit H, Knop J, Enk A H. Induction of tolerance by IL-10-treateddendritic cells. J. Immunol. 1997 Nov. 15; 159(10):4772-80; Yoshimura S,Bondeson J, Foxwell B M, Brennan F M, Feldmann M. Effective antigenpresentation by dendritic cells is NF-kappaB dependent: coordinateregulation of MHC, co-stimulatory molecules and cytokines. Int Immunol.2001 May; 13(5):675-83), including corticosteroids, salicylates,mycophenolate mofetil, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β IL-10. DCgenerated in the presence of these agents alter T cell function in vitroand in vivo, including promotion of allograft survival (Giannoukakis N,Bonham C A, Qian S, Zhou Z, Peng L, Harnaha J, et al. Prolongation ofcardiac allograft survival using dendritic cells treated with NF-κBdecoy oligodeoxyribonucleotides. Mol. Ther. 2000; 1(5 Pt 1):430-7;Griffin M D, Lutz W, Phan V A, Bachman L A, McKean D J, Kumar R.Dendritic cell modulation by 1alpha,25 dihydroxyvitamin D3 and itsanalogs: a vitamin D receptor-dependent pathway that promotes apersistent state of immaturity in vitro and in vivo. Proc Natl Acad SciUSA. 2001; 98(12):6800-5; Rea D, van Kooten C, van Meijgaarden K E,Ottenhoff T H, Melief C J, Offringa R. Glucocorticoids transformCD40-triggering of dendritic cells into an alternative activationpathway resulting in antigen-presenting cells that secrete IL-10. Blood.2000 May 15; 95(10):3162-7; Adorini L, Penna G, Giarratana N, UskokovicM. Tolerogenic dendritic cells induced by vitamin D receptor ligandsenhance regulatory T cells inhibiting allograft rejection and autoimmunediseases. J Cell Biochem. 2003 Feb. 1; 88(2):227-33). NF-κB activityleads to transcription of a number of genes involved in the immuneresponse. In particular, RelB activity is required for myeloid DCdifferentiation (Burkly L, Hession C, Ogata L, Reilly C, Marconi L A,Olson D, et al. Expression of relB is required for the development ofthymic medulla and dendritic cells. Nature. 1995 Feb. 9;373(6514):531-6; Weih F, Carrasco D, Durham S K, Barton D S, Rizzo C A,Ryseck R P, et al. Multiorgan inflammation and hematopoieticabnormalities in mice with a targeted disruption of RelB, a member ofthe NF-kappa B/Rel family. Cell. 1995; 80(2):331-40; Wu L, D'Amico A,Winkel K D, Suter M, Lo D, Shortman K. RelB is essential for thedevelopment of myeloid-related CD8alpha-dendritic cells but not oflymphoid-related CD8alpha+ dendritic cells. Immunity. 1998 December;9(6):839-47). RelB regulates DC and B cell APC function throughregulation of CD40 and MHC molecule expression (O'Sullivan B J,MacDonald K P, Pettit A R, Thomas R. RelB nuclear translocationregulates B cell MHC molecule, CD40 expression, and antigen-presentingcell function. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2000 Oct. 10; 97(21):11421-6;O'Sullivan B J, Thomas R. CD40 Ligation conditions dendritic cellantigen-presenting function through sustained activation of NF-kappaB.J. Immunol. 2002 Jun. 1; 168(11):5491-8; Martin E, O'Sullivan B, Low P,Thomas R. Antigen-specific suppression of a primed immune response bydendritic cells mediated by regulatory T cells secreting interleukin-10.Immunity. 2003 January; 18(1):155-67). The present inventors have shownthat antigen-exposed DC in which RelB function is inhibited lack cellsurface CD40, prevent priming of immunity, and suppress previouslyprimed immune responses. While immature DC, which maintain the potentialfor subsequent activation, were only moderately suppressive of primedimmune responses, RelB-deficient DC lacking this potential were muchmore suppressive (Martin E, O'Sullivan B, Low P, Thomas R.Antigen-specific suppression of a primed immune response by dendriticcells mediated by regulatory T cells secreting interleukin-10. Immunity.2003 January; 18(1):155-67).

Use of Dendritic Cells for Tolerance

Increasing evidence in humans and rodents strongly suggests thatimmature or NF-KB-deficient DC may control peripheral tolerance byinducing the differentiation of regulatory T cells (Dhodapkar M V,Steinman R M, Krasovsky J, Munz C, Bhardwaj N. Antigen-specificinhibition of effector T cell function in humans after injection ofimmature dendritic cells. J Exp Med. 2001 Jan. 15; 193(2):233-8;Jonuleit H, Schmitt E, Schuler G, Knop J, Enk A H. Induction ofinterleukin 10-producing, nonproliferating CD4(+) T cells withregulatory properties by repetitive stimulation with allogeneic immaturehuman dendritic cells. J Exp Med. 2000 Nov. 6; 192(9):1213-22; Martin E,O'Sullivan B, Low P, Thomas R. Antigen-specific suppression of a primedimmune response by dendritic cells mediated by regulatory T cellssecreting interleukin-10. Immunity. 2003 January; 18(1):155-67;Roncarolo M G, Levings M K, Traversari C. Differentiation of Tregulatory cells by immature dendritic cells. J Exp Med. 2001 Jan. 15;193(2):F5-9). Thus, repetitive in vitro stimulation of allogeneic humanT cells with immature, monocyte-derived dendritic cells leads to thegeneration of nonproliferating, suppressive, interleukin-10(IL-10)-producing Treg (Jonuleit H, Schmitt E, Schuler G, Knop J, Enk AH. Induction of interleukin 10-producing, nonproliferating CD4(+) Tcells with regulatory properties by repetitive stimulation withallogeneic immature human dendritic cells. J Exp Med. 2000 Nov. 6;192(9):1213-22). Dhodapkar et al. injected autologous, monocyte-derivedimmature DC, pulsed with influenza matrix peptide and keyhole limpethemocyanin, subcutaneously in two human volunteers. They reported anAg-specific inhibition of CD8⁺T-cell killing activity and the appearanceof peptide-specific IL-10-producing T cells, accompanied by a decreasein the number of interferon (IFN)-γ-producing T cells (Dhodapkar M V,Steinman R M, Krasovsky J, Munz C, Bhardwaj N. Antigen-specificinhibition of effector T cell function in humans after injection ofimmature dendritic cells. J Exp Med. 2001 Jan. 15; 193(2):233-8).

CD40 is a key determinant of DC immunogenicity. Inhibition of the RelBtranscription factor or of CD40 itself produces regulatory DC that areable to generate IL-10-producing T regulatory cells in vivo (Martin E,O'Sullivan B, Low P, Thomas R. Antigen-specific suppression of a primedimmune response by dendritic cells mediated by regulatory T cellssecreting interleukin-10. Immunity. 2003 January; 18(1):155-67).Conversely, tumor antigen-specific immunity can be markedly heightenedby engineering DC which are able to express CD40 for prolonged periodsin vivo (Hanks B A, Jiang J, Singh R A, Song W, Barry M, Huls M H, etal. Re-engineered CD40 receptor enables potent pharmacologicalactivation of dendritic-cell cancer vaccines in vivo. Nat. Med. 2005February; 11(2):130-7). IL-10 and TGFβ produced by T regulatory cellsmay contribute to tolerance by limiting expression of MHC class II andco-stimulatory molecules by DC (Jonuleit H, Schmitt E, Schuler G, KnopJ, Enk A H. Induction of interleukin 10-producing, nonproliferatingCD4(+) T cells with regulatory properties by repetitive stimulation withallogeneic immature human dendritic cells. J Exp Med. 2000 Nov. 6;192(9):1213-22; Roncarolo M G, Levings M K, Traversari C.Differentiation of T regulatory cells by immature dendritic cells. J ExpMed. 2001 Jan. 15; 193(2):F5-9).

In conjunction with decreased expression of co-stimulatory molecules,expression of ILT3 and ILT4 may be increased by regulatory DC (Chang CC, Ciubotariu R, Manavalan J S, Yuan J, Colovai A I, Piazza F, et al.Tolerization of dendritic cells by T(S) cells: the crucial role ofinhibitory receptors ILT3 and ILT4. Nat. Immunol. 2002 March;3(3):237-43). These Ig-like inhibitory receptors, related to NK cellkiller inhibitory receptors (KIR), are upregulated by the APC as aresult of interaction with CD8⁺CD28⁻ regulatory T cells. These receptorsnegatively signal monocytes and DC through immunoreceptor tyrosine-basedinhibitory motifs (ITIMs) (Colonna M, Nakajima H, Cella M. A family ofinhibitory and activating Ig-like receptors that modulate function oflymphoid and myeloid cells. Semin Immunol. 2000; 12(2):121-7; Colonna M,Navarro F, Bellon T, Llano M, Garcia P, Samaridis J, et al. A commoninhibitory receptor for major histocompatibility complex class Imolecules on human lymphoid and myelomonocytic cells. J Exp Med. 1997;186(11):1809-18; Colonna M, Samaridis J, Cella M, Angman L, Allen R L,O'Callaghan C A, et al. Human myelomonocytic cells express an inhibitoryreceptor for classical and nonclassical MHC class 1 molecules. J.Immunol. 1998; 160(7):3096-100). CD4⁺ T cell-induced NFκB activation ofAPC is reduced in the presence of CD8⁺CD28⁻ T cells, potentially throughthis signaling pathway (Chang C C, Ciubotariu R, Manavalan J S, Yuan J,Colovai A I, Piazza F, et al. Tolerization of dendritic cells by T(S)cells: the crucial role of inhibitory receptors ILT3 and ILT4. Nat.Immunol. 2002; 3(3):237-43).

IL-10 is an important cytokine involved in the generation of regulatoryT cells by DC. Treatment of DC with IL-10 can convert immature DC intoregulatory DC by suppressing NF-KB and therefore arresting maturation.This drives the differentiation of IL-10 producing T regulatory type1-producing cells in vitro and in vivo (Steinbrink K, Wolfl M, JonuleitH, Knop J, Enk A H. Induction of tolerance by IL-10-treated dendriticcells. J. Immunol. 1997 Nov. 15; 159(10):4772-80; Steinbrink K, JonuleitH, Muller G, Schuler G, Knop J, Enk A H. Interleukin-10-treated humandendritic cells induce a melanoma-antigen-specific anergy in CD8(+) Tcells resulting in a failure to lyse tumor cells. Blood. 1999 Mar. 1;93(5):1634-42; Liu L, Rich B E, Inobe J, Chen W, Weiner H L. Inductionof Th2 cell differentiation in the primary immune response: dendriticcells isolated from adherent cell culture treated with IL-10 prime naiveCD4⁺ T cells to secrete IL-4. Int Immunol. 1998 August; 10(8):1017-26).Human DC exposed to IL-10 induce a state of antigen-specific anergy inCD4⁺ T cells and CD8+ T cells by similarly converting DC into animmuoregulatory state (104). IL-10 inhibits IL-12 production andco-stimulatory molecule expression by DC, giving rise to regulatory DC(Kalinski P, Hilkens C M, Wierenga E A, Kapsenberg M L. T-cell primingby type-1 and type-2 polarized dendritic cells: the concept of a thirdsignal. Immunol Today. 1999 December; 20(12):561-7).

DC could also be manipulated in situ to induce peripheral tolerance. Forexample Flt3L, a growth factor that expands DC, enhanced the inductionof oral tolerance in vivo (Viney J L, Mowat A M, O'Malley J M,Williamson E, Fanger N A. Expanding dendritic cells in vivo enhances theinduction of oral tolerance. J. Immunol. 1998 Jun. 15; 160(12):5815-25).By contrast, treatment with Flt-3L increased severity of experimentalautoimmune thyroiditis due to enhanced Th1 responses, while GM-CSFeither prevented or significantly suppressed disease development even ata late stage, due to enhanced Th2 responses (Vasu C, Dogan R N,Holterman M J, Prabhakar B S. Selective induction of dendritic cellsusing granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor, but not fms-liketyrosine kinase receptor 3-ligand, activates thyroglobulin-specificCD4⁺/CD25⁺ T cells and suppresses experimental autoimmune thyroiditis.J. Immunol. 2003 Jun. 1; 170(11):5511-22).

Several procedures to induce tolerance have been developed using eitherDC modified as just described, or different routes of DC administration.For example, subcutaneous (sc) injection of antigen-pulsed splenic DC orepidermal Langerhans cells induces antigen-specific immunity, whereasintravenous (iv) injections of the same preparation result in tolerance(Morikawa Y, Furotani M, Kuribayashi K, Matsuura N, Kakudo K. The roleof antigen-presenting cells in the regulation of delayed-typehypersensitivity. I. Spleen dendritic cells. Immunology. 1992 September;77(1):81-7; Morikawa Y, Furotani M, Matsuura N, Kakudo K. The role ofantigen-presenting cells in the regulation of delayed-typehypersensitivity. II. Epidermal Langerhans' cells and peritoneal exudatemacrophages. Cell Immunol. 1993 November; 152(1):200-10). Specificstrategies for autoimmune diseases might include promotion of regulatoryT cell development using regulatory DC, or genetic engineering of DC tointroduce molecules that have immunosuppressive functions, such asIL-10, TGFβ, Fas-ligand, ILT3 and ILT4. Evidence for the ability of DCto suppress autoimmune inflammatory disease so far comes from theapplication of DC to models of autoimmune disease, as detailed below.Syngeneic DC, with or without exposure to autoantigens have been shownto inhibit the development of autoimmune diseases of the neuromuscularsystem, such as experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE),autoimmune endocrinopathies, such as type 1 diabetes and models ofautoimmune arthritis, such as collagen-induced arthritis.

After exposure to TGFβ in vitro, splenic DC from healthy syngeneic donorrats could transfer suppression to recipients with EAE. In contrast,TGFβ-exposed DC from donor rats with EAE had no effect when transferred.DC were administered 5 days after immunization of Lewis rats withencephalitogenic myelin basic protein peptide 68-86 (MBP68-86) andcomplete Freund's adjuvant (CFA), during the incipient phase of EAE(Huang Y M, Yang J S, Xu L Y, Link H, Xiao B G. Autoantigen-pulseddendritic cells induce tolerance to experimental allergicencephalomyelitis (EAE) in Lewis rats. Clin Exp Immunol. 2000 December;122(3):437-44). Sc injection of immature, but not lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-treated, bone marrow (BM)-derived DC prior to immunization alsoprevented EAE (Xiao B G, Huang Y M, Yang J S, Xu L Y, Link H. Bonemarrow-derived dendritic cells from experimental allergicencephalomyelitis induce immune tolerance to EAE in Lewis rats. Clin ExpImmunol. 2001 August; 125(2):300-9). TGFβ-modified DC similarlyinhibited the development of clinical signs of experimental autoimmunemyasthenia gravis (EAMG) in Lewis rats when given during the incipientphase of EAMG (Yarilin D, Duan R, Huang Y M, Xiao B G. Dendritic cellsexposed in vitro to TGF-beta1 ameliorate experimental autoimmunemyasthenia gravis. Clin Exp Immunol. 2002 February; 127(2):214-9).

In autoimmune disease of the eye, peptide-loaded immature DC inhibitedthe production of IFN-γ by uveitogenic T cells and therefore theinduction of experimental autoimmune uveo-retinitis (EAU) in vivo (JiangH R, Muckersie E, Robertson M, Forrester J V. Antigen-specificinhibition of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis by bonemarrow-derived immature dendritic cells. Invest Opthalmol V is Sci. 2003April; 44(4):1598-607). Draining lymph node T cells secreted high levelsof IL-10 and IL-15. In another model, transfer of inter-photoreceptorretinoid binding protein-pulsed TGFβ₂-treated APC to inter-photoreceptorretinoid binding protein-immunized mice successfully suppressed theinduction of experimental uveoretinitis in mice (Okamoto S, Kosiewicz M,Caspi R, Streilein J. ACAID as a potential therapy for establishmentalautoimmune uveitis. In: Science E, editor. Advances in OcularImmunology. Amsterdam; 1994).

Myelin antigen-pulsed splenocytes were shown to suppress EAE byselective induction of anergy in encephalitogenic T cells (Vandenbark AA, Celnik B, Vainiene M, Miller S D, Offner H. Myelin antigen-coupledsplenocytes suppress experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in Lewisrats through a partially reversible anergy mechanism. J. Immunol. 1995Dec. 15; 155(12):5861-7). Regulatory APC, generated by exposure to TGFb2and MBP Ag, promoted development of CD8⁺Treg that suppressed EAE (FaunceD E, Terajewicz A, Stein-Streilein J. Cutting edge: in vitro-generatedtolerogenic APC induce CD8+ T regulatory cells that can suppress ongoingexperimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis. J. Immunol. 2004 Feb. 15;172(4):1991-5): These results provide evidence that DC can inducetolerance in experimental autoimmune diseases through effects onresponding T cells. In alternative approach, EAE could be prevented byiv injection of splenic DC exposed ex vivo to MBP and CTLA-4-Ig fusionprotein, presumably through ex vivo blockade of CD28-CD80 interactions(Khoury S J, Gallon L, Verburg R R, Chandraker A, Peach R, Linsley P S,et al. Ex vivo treatment of antigen-presenting cells with CTLA4Ig andencephalitogenic peptide prevents experimental autoimmuneencephalomyelitis in the Lewis rat. J. Immunol. 1996 Oct. 15;157(8):3700-5).

In a number of models, repetitive intravenous administration ofso-called “semimature” DC, prepared in vitro by exposure to tumornecrosis factor TNF-α, induced Ag-specific protection. TNF-α-DC havebeen shown to express high levels of MHC and T cell co-stimulatorymolecules, but unlike mature DC, they produce low levels ofpro-inflammatory cytokines and are unable to secrete IL-12p70. These DCsuppress EAE through generation of autoantigen-specific IL-10-secretingCD4⁺ T cells (Menges M, Rossner S, Voigtlander C, Schindler H, KukutschN A, Bogdan C, et al. Repetitive injections of dendritic cells maturedwith tumor necrosis factor alpha induce antigen-specific protection ofmice from autoimmunity. J Exp Med. 2002 Jan. 7; 195(1):15-21), possiblyas a result of the lack of expression of co-stimulatory “signal 3”(Thomas R. Signal 3 and its role in autoimmunity. Arthritis Res Ther.2004; 6:26-7). Finally, DC exposed to TGF-β₁ or IFN-γ suppressed theonset and relapses of EAE, in comparison with animals receivinguntreated DC or saline injections (Xiao B G, Wu X C, Yang J S, Xu L Y,Liu X, Huang Y M, et al. Therapeutic potential of IFN-gamma-modifieddendritic cells in acute and chronic experimental allergicencephalomyelitis. Int Immunol. 2004 January; 16(1):13-22).

In the NOD mouse model of diabetes, transfer of DC treated with IFN-γalso induced long-lasting protection against type 1 diabetes mellitus(Shinomiya M, Fazle Akbar S M, Shinomiya H, Onji M. Transfer ofdendritic cells (DC) ex vivo stimulated with interferon-gamma(IFN-gamma) down-modulates autoimmune diabetes in non-obese diabetic(NOD) mice. Clin Exp Immunol. 1999 July; 117(1):38-43). Transfer ofpancreatic lymph node DC also suppressed the development of diabetes bythe induction of regulatory cells in NOD mice (Clare-Salzler M J, BrooksJ, Chai A, Van Herle K, Anderson C. Prevention of diabetes in nonobesediabetic mice by dendritic cell transfer. J Clin Invest. 1992 September;90(3):741-8). In other experiments, a single iv injection of syngeneicsplenic DC from euglycemic NOD mice exposed to human IgG protected micefrom diabetes. Supernatants of islets from these mice containedincreased levels of IL-4 and IL-10 and diminished levels of IFN-γcompared with diabetic controls, suggesting a favorable effect of type 2cytokines on disease (Papaccio G, Nicoletti F, Pisanti F A, Bendtzen K,Galdieri M. Prevention of spontaneous autoimmune diabetes in NOD mice bytransferring in vitro antigen-pulsed syngeneic dendritic cells.Endocrinology. 2000 April; 141 (4): 1500-5).

Mature BM-derived DC could also prevent diabetes development in NODmice, an effect ascribed to the generation of CD25⁺CD4⁺ regulatory Tcells, secreting Th2 cytokines (Feili-Hariri M, Dong X, Alber S M,Watkins S C, Salter R D, Morel P A. Immunotherapy of NOD mice with bonemarrow-derived dendritic cells. Diabetes. 1999 December; 48(12):2300-8).BM-derived DC generated in the presence of NF-κB inhibitoryoligo-dinucleotides or the soluble NF-κB inhibitor Bay11-7082 could alsoprevent diabetes (Ma L, Qian S, Liang X, Wang L, Woodward J E,Giannoukakis N, et al. Prevention of diabetes in NOD mice byadministration of dendritic cells deficient in nuclear transcriptionfactor-kappaB activity. Diabetes. 2003 August; 52(8):1976-85). However,no studies have demonstrated that transferred DC can ameliorateestablished type 1 diabetes in NOD mice.

Experimental autoimmune thyroiditis (EAT), a murine model of Hashimoto'sthyroiditis in humans, can be induced upon challenge of susceptibleanimals with thyroglobulin and adjuvant (Charreire J. Immune mechanismsin autoimmune thyroiditis. Adv Immunol. 1989; 46:263-334). This diseaseis mediated by CD4⁺ T cells and is characterized by lymphocyticinfiltration of the thyroid gland (Weetman A P, McGregor A M. Autoimmunethyroid disease: further developments in our understanding. Endocr Rev.1994 December; 15(6):788-830). DC exposed to TNFα and Ag inducedAg-specific CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells with the ability to inhibit development ofEAT, confirming results previously published in a model of EAE (VerginisP, Li H S, Carayanniotis G. Tolerogenic semimature dendritic cellssuppress experimental autoimmune thyroiditis by activation ofthyroglobulin-specific CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells. J. Immunol. 2005 Jun. 1;174(11):7433-9).

Several studies in experimental arthritis have evaluated the therapeuticeffect of DC transduced with various immunomodulatory genes.Transduction of DC with TNF-related apoptosis-induced ligand (TRAIL) wasevaluated in mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA). TRAILexpression was controlled by a doxycycline-inducible tetracyclineresponse element. Transfected DC were capable of inducing apoptosis ofarthritogenic T cells (Liu Z, Xu X, Hsu H C, Tousson A, Yang P A, Wu Q,et al. CII-DC-AdTRAIL cell gene therapy inhibits infiltration ofCII-reactive T cells and CII-induced arthritis. J Clin Invest. 2003November; 112(9):1332-41). Genetic modification of primary DC to expressFas-L eliminated or reduced the number of antigen-specific T cellsresponsible for the progression of CIA (Kim S H, Kim S, Oligino T J,Robbins P D. Effective treatment of established mouse collagen-inducedarthritis by systemic administration of dendritic cells geneticallymodified to express FasL. Mol. Ther. 2002 November; 6(5):584-90).Moreover, DC transfected with Fas-L could induce antigen-specifictolerance after exposure to a peptide to which they had previously beensensitized. This observation provides evidence that it may also bepossible to delete autoreactive T cells from the repertoire usingmodified DC (Matsue H, Matsue K, Walters M, Okumura K, Yagita H,Takashima A. Induction of antigen-specific immunosuppression by CD95LcDNA-transfected ‘killer’ dendritic cells. Nat. Med. 1999 August;5(8):930-7).

Adoptive transfer of immature DC expressing IL-4 after adenoviralinfection, into mice with established CIA suppressed disease for up to 4weeks (Kim S H, Kim S, Evans C H, Ghivizzani S C, Oligino T, Robbins PD. Effective treatment of established murine collagen-induced arthritisby systemic administration of dendritic cells genetically modified toexpress IL-4. J. Immunol. 2001 Mar. 1; 166(5):3499-505). Similarly,IL-4-transduced bone marrow derived DC adoptively transferred beforedisease onset reduced the incidence and severity of murine CIA, whereasIL-4 delivery by retrovirally transduced T cells and NIH 3T3 cells hadno effect (Morita Y, Yang J, Gupta R, Shimizu K, Shelden E A, Endres J,et al. Dendritic cells genetically engineered to express IL-4 inhibitmurine collagen-induced arthritis. J Clin Invest. 2001 May;107(10):1275-84). Whereas each of these approaches suppressedTh1-mediated T cell and antibody responses, they typically did notdeviate the immune response towards a Th2 type or regulatory response.By contrast, DC generated in the presence of vasoactive intestinalpeptide (VIP) were able to suppress CIA in an IL-10 dependent fashion(Chorny A, Gonzalez-Rey E, Fernandez-Martin A, Ganea D, Delgado M.Vasoactive intestinal peptide induces regulatory dendritic cells thatcan prevent acute graft-versus-host disease while maintaingraft-versus-tumor. Blood. 2006 Jan. 17). TNF-DC also suppressed CIA,when delivered i.v. in high doses, in a partially IL-10 dependent manner(Verginis P, Li H S, Carayanniotis G. Tolerogenic semimature dendriticcells suppress experimental autoimmune thyroiditis by activation ofthyroglobulin-specific CD4⁺CD25⁺ T cells. J. Immunol. 2005 Jun. 1;174(11):7433-9). Both TNF-DC and VIP-DC stimulate peripheral conversionof CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T cells and Tr1 type Treg. VIP has been shown toreduce DC NF-KB activation and CD40 expression (Chorny A, Gonzalez-ReyE, Fernandez-Martin A, Ganea D, Delgado M. Vasoactive intestinal peptideinduces regulatory dendritic cells that can prevent acutegraft-versus-host disease while maintain graft-versus-tumor. Blood. 2006Jan. 17).

DC immunotherapy has been introduced in the clinic, and has proven to befeasible, non-toxic and effective in some patients with cancer,particularly if the DC have been appropriately activated (Banchereau J,Palucka A K, Dhodapkar M, Burkeholder S, Taquet N, Rolland A, et al.Immune and clinical responses in patients with metastatic melanoma toCD34⁽⁺⁾ progenitor-derived dendritic cell vaccine. Cancer Res. 2001 Sep.1; 61(17):6451-8; Nestle F O, Banchereau J, Hart D. Dendritic cells: Onthe move from bench to bedside. Nat. Med. 2001 July; 7(7):761-5;Dhodapkar M V, Krasovsky J, Steinman R M, Bhardwaj N. Mature dendriticcells boost functionally superior CD8⁽⁺⁾ T-cell in humans withoutforeign helper epitopes. J Clin Invest. 2000 March; 105(6):R9-R14). Invivo activation and targeting of DC, as well as exploitation of DC tosuppress autoimmunity, will expand the application of DC to a widevariety of immune-mediated diseases. However, a number of technicalquestions also need to be addressed in autoimmune immunotherapy,including the frequency and route of administration, the subset andnumber of DC to be used, and the concentration and duration of cytokinetreatment. For example, while a single iv or sc dose of 0.5×10⁶ DCtreated with an NF-KB inhibitor was sufficient to suppress priming orantigen-induced arthritis, TNF-treated DC must be given repeatedly iv inhigh doses.

Data relating to human DC are scarce, but certain studies have reportedencouraging results. Using a human in vitro model system, immature DCexposed to allospecific CD8⁺CD28⁻ T suppressor cells or CD4⁺CD25⁺Tregexhibited increased surface expression of the inhibitory molecules ILT3and 4 (Chang C C, Ciubotariu R, Manavalan J S, Yuan J, Colovai A I,Piazza F, et al. Tolerization of dendritic cells by T(S) cells: thecrucial role of inhibitory receptors ILT3 and ILT4. Nat. Immunol. 2002March; 3(3):237-43). These human regulatory DC induced reversible anergyin unprimed or primed T helper cells, promoting the conversion ofalloreactive CD4⁺ T cells to Treg. Human blood CD4⁺CD123⁺CD11c⁻precursor DC can be generated when cultured in the presence of IL-3(Grouard G, Rissoan M C, Filgueira L, Durand I, Banchereau J, Liu Y J.The enigmatic plasmacytoid T cells develop into dendritic cells withinterleukin (IL)-3 and CD40-ligand. J Exp Med. 1997 Mar. 17;185(6):1101-11; Rissoan M C, Soumelis V, Kadowaki N, Grouard G, BriereF, de Waal Malefyt R, et al. Reciprocal control of T helper cell anddendritic cell differentiation. Science. 1999 Feb. 19; 283(5405):1183-6;Arpinati M, Green C L, Heimfeld S, Heuser J E, Anasetti C.Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor mobilizes T helper 2-inducingdendritic cells. Blood. 2000 Apr. 15; 95(8):2484-90). After in vitroactivation by TNF-α, these DC promoted production of IL-4 and IL-10 by Tcells (Rissoan M C, Soumelis V, Kadowaki N, Grouard G, Briere F, de WaalMalefyt R, et al. Reciprocal control of T helper cell and dendritic celldifferentiation. Science. 1999 Feb. 19; 283(5405):1183-6). Such DC havepotential for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and acutegraft-versus-host disease (Liu Y J, Blom B. Introduction: TH2-inducingDC2 for immunotherapy. Blood. 2000 Apr. 15; 95(8):2482-3).

PB monocyte-derived DC, exposed to IFN-β secrete high levels of IL-10but low levels of IL-12, and suppress IFN-γ production by mononuclearcells (Huang Y M, Hussien Y, Yarilin D, Xiao B G, Liu Y J, Link H.Interferon-beta induces the development of type 2 dendritic cells.Cytokine. 2001 Mar. 7; 13(5):264-71). DC from MS patients treated withIFN-β in vivo produced less IFN-γ and TNF-α than DC from controlpatients (Huang Y M, Xiao B G, Ozenci V, Kouwenhoven M, Teleshova N,Fredrikson S, et al. Multiple sclerosis is associated with high levelsof circulating dendritic cells secreting pro-inflammatory cytokines. J.Neuroimmunol. 1999 Sep. 1; 99(1):82-90). These findings suggest thatexposure of DC to IFN-β and IL-10 may curtail the production ofpro-inflammatory cytokines, and after re-infusion, such DC may representa promising direction for therapy of MS. Signaling through NF-κB wasalso shown to determine the capacity of DC to stimulate T cellproliferation in vitro, in that CD40⁻ human monocyte-derived DCgenerated in the presence of an NF-κB inhibitor, signal little T cellproliferation or IFN-γ production (Thompson A G, O'Sullivan B J, BeamishH, Thomas R. T cells signaled by NF-kappa B-dendritic cells aresensitized not anergic to subsequent activation. J. Immunol. 2004 Aug.1; 173(3):1671-80).

In a human study of two healthy volunteers, in vivo responses to recallantigens were suppressed when normal volunteers were injected withantigen-exposed immature DC (Dhodapkar M V, Steinman R M, Krasovsky J,Munz C, Bhardwaj N. Antigen-specific inhibition of effector T cellfunction in humans after injection of immature dendritic cells. J ExpMed. 2001 Jan. 15; 193(2):233-8). This effect was linked to thegeneration of regulatory type CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ T cells and the productionof IL-10, and is in marked contrast to the active immunity that can beachieved with mature DC. This small study is the only clinical evidenceto date illustrating the potential of immature DC as a tool forimmunosuppression. However, it is not yet clear whether this potentialwill translate into patients with immune system defects that have led tothe development of spontaneous autoimmune disease.

Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have been shown todisplay major alterations in DC homeostasis in that plasmacytoid DC arereduced in blood and IFNα-activated monocytes from these patients areeffective APC in vitro (Blanco P, Palucka A K, Gill M, Pascual V,Banchereau J. Induction of dendritic cell differentiation by IFN-alphain systemic lupus erythematosus. Science. 2001; 294(5546):1540-3). Itwas speculated that monocyte-derived DC might efficiently captureapoptotic cells and nucleosomes, present in SLE patients' blood andtissues (Amoura Z, Piette J C, Chabre H, Cacoub P, Papo T, Wechsler B,et al. Circulating plasma levels of nucleosomes in patients withsystemic lupus erythematosus: correlation with serum antinucleosomeantibody titers and absence of clear association with disease activity.Arthritis Rheum. 1997; 40(12):2217-25). In view of the high levels ofIFNα in serum, and its detrimental effects in SLE, IFNα is beingdeveloped as a potential target for therapeutic intervention in SLE(Vallin H, Blomberg S, Alm G V, Cederblad B, Ronnblom L. Patients withsystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have a circulating inducer ofinterferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) production acting on leucocytes resemblingimmature dendritic cells. Clin Exp Immunol. 1999; 115(1):196-202). IFNαactivates not only myeloid cells, including monocytes and myeloid DC,but also plasmacytoid DC themselves, which are enriched in theinflammatory site in SLE skin lesions (Farkas L, Beiske K, Lund-JohansenF, Brandtzaeg P, Jahnsen F L. Plasmacytoid Dendritic Cells (NaturalInterferon-alpha/beta-Producing Cells) Accumulate in Cutaneous LupusErythematosus Lesions. Am J. Pathol. 2001; 159(1):237-43). Of interest,the RNA components of the Ro 60 and Sm/RNP small ribonucleoproteinautoantigens have recently been shown to act as endogenous adjuvantswhich stimulate plasmacytoid DC (PDC) maturation and type I IFNproduction (Kelly K M, Zhuang H, Nacionales D C, Scumpia P O, Lyons R,Akaogi J, et al. “Endogenous adjuvant” activity of the RNA components oflupus autoantigens Sm/RNP and Ro 60. Arthritis Rheum. 2006 Apr. 27;54(5):1557-67; Savarese E, Chae O W, Trowitzsch S, Weber G, Kastner B,Akira S, et al. U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein immune complexesinduce type I interferon in plasmacytoid dendritic cells through TLR7.Blood. 2006 Apr. 15; 107(8):3229-34; Vollmer J, Tluk S, Schmitz C, HammS, Jurk M, Forsbach A, et al. Immune stimulation mediated by autoantigenbinding sites within small nuclear RNAs involves Toll-like receptors 7and 8. J Exp Med. 2005 Dec. 5; 202(11):1575-85). Type I IFN productionby PDC can also be triggered in cutaneous LE by UV-light, whichstimulates local production of chemokines for T cells and PDC.

Additionally, several investigators have postulated in vivoadministration of soluble inhibitors of the NF-KB pathway either bythemselves or in combination with soluble antigens to elicit tolerogenicDC for the treatment of autoimmune disease, allergies and graft versushost disease. Illustrative references disclosing this strategy include:U.S. Pat. No. 7,078,027; U.S. Pat. App. Pub. Nos. 2005/032725,2004/072228, 2004/166095, 2004/166099, 2005/208036, 2004/258688,2004/265912, 2005/0220854, 2005/0036993 and 2003/0153518; InternationalPublications WO 99/29865, WO 00/61132, WO 03/000199, WO 2004/084927 andWO 2004/084942; and European Pat. App. No. 1 462 111. However, there isno clinical evidence to the knowledge of the present inventors thatsupports the usefulness of this strategy.

The present invention is predicated in part on the surprising discoverythat co-administration of an NF-κB inhibitor and an antigen in vivo whenboth are in soluble form or when one is soluble and the other isliposome encapsulated, is ineffective in producing a tolerogenicresponse to the antigen. However, the present inventors have found thatstrong tolerogenic responses are generated in vivo by administeringparticles (e.g., liposomes) comprising both an NF-κB inhibitor and anantigen. This discovery has been reduced to practice in the form ofparticulate, immunomodulating compositions and methods of treating orpreventing undesirable or deleterious immune responses, as describedhereafter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention provides compositionsfor modulating an immune response, especially an undesirable ordeleterious immune response, to a target antigen. These compositionsgenerally comprise an inhibitor of the NF-κB pathway and an antigen thatcorresponds to at least a portion of the target antigen, wherein theinhibitor and the antigen are in particulate form. Typically, the NF-κBpathway inhibitor and the antigen are contained in one or moreparticles. In some embodiments, the inhibitor and the antigen arecontained in the same particle. In other embodiments, the inhibitor andthe antigen are contained in different particles. Desirably, the or eachparticle is capable of being taken up (e.g., endocytosis orphagocytosis) by an immune cell such as, but not limited to, an antigenpresenting cell (e.g., a dendritic cell, macrophage or Langerhans cell).In some embodiments, the particle comprises a matrix, carrier orsubstrate. Representative particles are suitably dimensioned and includenanoparticles and microparticles. In some embodiments, the particlecomprises a lipid matrix or carrier such as a cationic lipid, an anioniclipid, non-ionic and/or a zwitterionic lipid, e.g., polyglyceryl alkylethers, sphingolipids or a phospholipid (such as phosphatidylcholine).In specific examples of this type, the particle is liposomal. In otherembodiments, the particle comprises a carrier particle, such as a metalparticle (e.g., a tungsten, gold, platinum or iridium particle). Instill other embodiments, the particle comprises a polymeric matrix orcarrier, illustrative examples of which include biocompatible polymericparticles (e.g., particles fabricated with poly(lactide-co-glycolide)).In still other embodiments, the particle comprises a ceramic orinorganic matrix or carrier.

Suitably, the antigen that corresponds to at least a portion of thetarget antigen is selected from allergens, autoantigens andalloantigens. The antigen may be selected from proteinaceous antigens,lipid antigens, glycolipid antigens and carbohydrate antigens. In someembodiments, the antigen is in a non-nucleic acid form (e.g., from whichthe antigen is expressible).

In some embodiments, the inhibitor of the NF-κB pathway decreases thelevel or functional activity of a member of the NF-κB pathway, which issuitably selected from BTK, LYN, BCR Igα, BCR Igβ, Syk, Blnk, PLCγ2,PKCβ, DAG, CARMA1, BCL10, MALT1, PI3K, PIPS, AKT, p38 MAPK, ERK, COT,IKKα, IKKβ, IKKγ, NIK, RelA/p65, P105/p50, c-Rel, RelB, p52, NIK, Leu13,CD81, CD19, CD21 and its ligands in the complement and coagulationcascade, TRAF6, ubiquitin ligase, Tab2, TAK1, NEMO, NOD2, RIP2, Lck,fyn, Zap70, LAT, GRB2, SOS, CD3 zeta, Slp-76, GADS, ITK, PLCγ1, PKCθ,ICOS, CD28, SHP2, SAP, SLAM and 2B4. In illustrative examples of thistype, the NF-κB pathway inhibitor decreases the level or functionalactivity of any one or more of RelA/p65, P105/p50, c-Rel, RelB or p52.In some embodiments, the inhibitor of the NF-κB pathway increases thelevel or functional activity of a member of the NF-κB pathway, which issuitably selected from SHP1, SHIP, PIR-B, CD22, CD72, FcgRIIB, IκB,P100, CTLA4, PD-1, Cb1, KIR3DL1, KIR3DL2, KIR2DL and Csk. In someembodiments, the NF-κB pathway inhibitor is in a non-nucleic acid form(e.g., from which the inhibitor is expressible.

The particulate compositions as broadly defined above are especiallyuseful for inducing a tolerogenic response including the induction of ananergic response, or the suppression of a future or existing immuneresponse, to a specified antigen or group of antigens. For example, theimmune response includes, but is not limited to, a response mediated byimmunoglobulin molecules (e.g., IgE) and/or T lymphocytes (e.g.,cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) and T helper lymphocytes). The immuneresponse is typically but not exclusively directed to an antigenselected from a protein antigen, a particulate antigen, an alloantigen,an autoantigen, an allergen, a bacterial antigen, a viral antigen, aparasitic antigen or an immune complex.

In some embodiments, the composition may further comprise apharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.

Another aspect of the present invention provides methods for modulatingan immune response, especially an undesirable or deleterious immuneresponse, to a target antigen in a subject. These methods generallycomprise administering to the subject a composition as broadly describedabove. The composition may be administered by injection, by topical ormucosal application, by inhalation or via the oral route includingmodified-release modes of administration, over a period of time and inamounts which are effective to modulate the immune response to thetarget antigen. In specific embodiments, the composition is administeredsystemically.

Typically, the immune response is associated with a condition selectedfrom an allergy, an autoimmune disease and a transplant rejection. Thus,in yet another aspect, the invention provides methods for treating orpreventing a condition whose symptoms or etiology are associated withthe presence or risk of development of an undesirable or deleteriousimmune response to a target antigen in a subject. These methodsgenerally comprise administering to the subject an effective amount of acomposition as broadly described above. In some embodiments, the subjecthas a condition as broadly described above whilst in others the subjectis at risk of developing such a condition. In some embodiments, when theNF-κB pathway inhibitor and the antigen are provided in differentparticles, they are concurrently administered to the subject.

In a related aspect, the invention extends to the use of an inhibitor ofthe NF-κB pathway and an antigen that corresponds to at least a portionof a target antigen, wherein the inhibitor and the antigen are inparticulate form in the manufacture of a medicament for suppressing animmune response to the target antigen, or for treating or preventing anallergy or an autoimmune disease associated with the target antigen, orfor treating or preventing a transplant rejection associated with thetarget antigen.

The invention also encompasses the use of an inhibitor of the NF-κBpathway and an antigen that corresponds to at least a portion of atarget antigen, wherein the inhibitor and the antigen are in particulateform in the study and modulation of an immune response to the targetantigen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a graphical and photographic representation showing thatliposomes are taken up by phagocytic cells expressing MHC class II,including dendritic cells and macrophages in lymphoid organs. A-C: 100μL liposomes labeled with the red fluorescent dye DiI were injected intoC57BL/6 mice by (A) intravenous injection via tail vein (iv), or (B)subcutaneous injection at the tail base (sc), or (C) intraperitoneally(ip). 24 hours after injection, splenocytes of mice injectedintravenously and draining LNs of mice injected subcutaneously orintraperitoneally were removed and processed into cell suspensions.Cells were stained with anti-MHC class II-FITC (for i.v. and s.c.injections) or CD11c-APC (for IP injection), and analyzed by flowcytometry. Control mice received no liposomes. The proportion of classII+ or CD11c+ cells taking up liposomes is shown by the double labelledquadrant. D-H: 24 h after injection, spleens of mice injected with 100μL of DiI curcumin liposomes either i.v. or s.c. were embedded in OCTmedium and sectioned at 6 μm. Magnification: ×20. (D) iv injection.Spleen stained for monocytes and macrophages using AlexaFluor 647 CD11b(blue) and AlexaFluor 488 F480 (green) respectively. DiI+ liposomes areidentified in red. (E) iv injection. Spleen sectioned and stained formyeloid dendritic cells and macrophages using AlexaFluor 647 CD11c(blue) and AlexaFluor 488 F480 (green) respectively. (F) sc injection.Spleen sectioned and stained for monocytes and macrophages usingAlexaFluor 647 CD11b (blue) and AlexaFluor 488 F480 (green)respectively. (G) iv injection. Spleen sectioned and stained for myeloiddendritic cells and macrophages using AlexaFluor 647 CD11c (blue) andAlexaFluor 488 F480 (green) respectively. (H) Un-injected controlspleen, stained for CD11b/F480 (left graph) and CD11c/F480 (rightgraph), showing absence of DiI staining (red).

FIG. 2 is a graphical representation showing that liposomes containingNF-κB inhibitors block the NF-κB response in draining lymph node cells.C57BL/6 mice were injected i.v. with 50 μL of liposomal formulations.After 24 hours, the spleen was removed and processed into cellsuspensions. Cells were incubated in medium with or without 100 ng/mLLPS for 24 hours. Nuclear extracts were obtained and analyzed for p50NF-κB DNA binding by ELISA. Each column represents the level ofp50/NF-kB DNA binding from a pool of three mice. Results represent meanand SD as error bar from three experiments in mice treated withliposomes. *p<0.05, comparing LPS response after curcumin and quecertinliposomes with response after empty liposome administration.

FIG. 3 is a graphical representation showing that liposomes combinedwith antigen stimulate a specific T cell response in draining LN whetheror not NF-κB inhibitor is included in the particle. BALB/c mice weretreated with 504 of various liposomal formulations 1 day after adoptivetransfer of OVA-specific T-cells labelled with CSFE. After 72 hours,inguinal lymph nodes were removed and processed into cell suspensions.Cells were then stained with PE labelled KJ1-26 antibody, whichrecognises the OVA-specific TCR, and analysed by flow cytometry. Dotplots with circular gate (R1) represent parent cells while dot plotswith rectangular gate (R2) represent daughter cells. The histogramsdemonstrates the decrease in CFSE fluorescence intensity (from right toleft) indicating the T-cells responses from mice treated with variousOVA formulations (line histogram) compared to mice treated with emptyliposomes (fill histogram). Results are representative of two separateexperiments.

FIG. 4 is a graphical representation showing a suppressed OVA recallresponse to OVA delivered by liposomes and NF-κB inhibitor. Afteradoptive transfer of OVA-specific DO11.10 T-cells, Balb/c mice wereprimed with OVA-CFA. 7 days later, mice were treated with OVA-CFA (redline), liposomes co-entrapping OVA and Bay 11-7082 (blue line),liposomes co-entrapping OVA and quercetin (brown line) liposomesco-entrapping OVA and curcumin (orange line) or liposomes co-entrappingOVA and QuilA (green line). After 7 days post treatment, T-cells wereharvested from inguinal lymph node and cultured in RPMI+10% FCS. Using[³H] thymidine incorporation as readout, proliferation of T-cells wasevaluated after incubation for 72 hours with naïve DCs and OVA-peptide(323-339) at concentrations varying from 0-10 ug/mL. Mean cpm and errorbars as SEM from triplicate wells are shown. Results are representativeof two separate experiments.

FIG. 5 is a graphical representation showing that liposome particulatescontaining both antigen and NF-κB inhibitor suppress arthritis in anantigen-specific manner. Antigen induced arthritis (AIA) was induced bypriming and boosting with mBSA in complete Freund's adjuvant twice intwo weeks, followed by injection of mBSA to one knee joint. 6 dayslater, when joint swelling was fully clinically expressed, either DCgenerated in the presence of Bay11-7082 and pulsed with mESA, orliposomes were injected s.c. Joint swelling score was assessed 4 dayslater by caliper reading. Liposomes were either empty, contained mBSAalone, contained mBSA and curcumin, contained quercetin and mBSA,contained Bay11-7082 and mBSA, contained curcumin alone with solublemBSA injected adjacent, or contained mBSA alone with soluble Bay11-7082injected adjacent. **p<0.001, ***p<0.0001 compared with untreatedarthritic mice. Repeated 3 times with 5 mice per group.

FIG. 6 is a graphical representation showing retention of FITC-OVA invarious NF-κB inhibitors loaded liposomes. Liposomes entrapping onlyFITC-OVA (), liposomes co-entrapping FITC-OVA and Bay 11-7082 (▴),liposomes co-entrapping FITC-OVA and quercetin (Δ) and liposomesco-entrapping FITC-OVA and curcumin (◯) were incubated in HEPES bufferpH 7.4 (A) or HEPES buffer pH 7.4+10% FBS (B) at 37° C. The release ofFITC-OVA was monitored over 28 hours by fluorescence spectrophotometry.Data represent mean and SD of three experiments.

FIG. 7 is a graphical representation showing that either OVAcurcumin-liposomes or OVA-curcumin-microspheres induce regulatory Tcells. DO11.10 mice were primed with OVA and complete Freunds adjuvantand 7 days later injected with either curcumin-OVA liposomes orcurcumin-OVA polymeric microparticles. After 7 days, splenocytes werepurified and transferred to primed BALB/c recipients. Mice weresacrificed after 5 days and splenocytes were restimulated with varyingconcentrations of OVA peptide.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 1. Definitions

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skillin the art to which the invention belongs. Although any methods andmaterials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used inthe practice or testing of the present invention, preferred methods andmaterials are described. For the purposes of the present invention, thefollowing terms are defined below.

The articles “a” and “an” are used herein to refer to one or to morethan one (i.e. to at least one) of the grammatical object of thearticle. By way of example, “an element” means one element or more thanone element.

The term “about” is used herein to refer to conditions (e.g., amounts,concentrations, time etc) that vary by as much as 30%, preferably by asmuch as 20%, and more preferably by as much as 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6%, 5%,4%, 3%, 2% or 1% to a specified condition.

The terms “administration concurrently” or “administering concurrently”or “co-administering” and the like refer to the administration of asingle composition containing two or more actives, or the administrationof each active as separate compositions and/or delivered by separateroutes either contemporaneously or simultaneously or sequentially withina short enough period of time that the effective result is equivalent tothat obtained when all such actives are administered as a singlecomposition. By “simultaneously” is meant that the active agents areadministered at substantially the same time, and desirably together inthe same formulation. By “contemporaneously” it is meant that the activeagents are administered closely in time, e.g., one agent is administeredwithin from about one minute to within about one day before or afteranother. Any contemporaneous time is useful. However, it will often bethe case that when not administered simultaneously, the agents will beadministered within about one minute to within about eight hours andpreferably within less than about one to about four hours. Whenadministered contemporaneously, the agents are suitably administered atthe same site on the subject. The term “same site” includes the exactlocation, but can be within about 0.5 to about 15 centimeters,preferably from within about 0.5 to about 5 centimeters. The term“separately” as used herein means that the agents are administered at aninterval, for example at an interval of about a day to several weeks ormonths. The active agents may be administered in either order. The term“sequentially” as used herein means that the agents are administered insequence, for example at an interval or intervals of minutes, hours,days or weeks. If appropriate the active agents may be administered in aregular repeating cycle.

The term “anergy” as used herein refers to a suppressed response, or astate of non-responsiveness, to a specified antigen or group of antigensby an immune system. For example, T lymphocytes and B lymphocytes areanergic when they cannot respond to their specific antigen under optimalconditions of stimulation.

By “antigen” is meant all, or part of, a protein, peptide, or othermolecule or macromolecule capable of eliciting an immune response in avertebrate animal, especially a mammal. Such antigens are also reactivewith antibodies from animals immunized with that protein, peptide, orother molecule or macromolecule.

By “antigen-binding molecule” is meant a molecule that has bindingaffinity for a target antigen. It will be understood that this termextends to immunoglobulins, immunoglobulin fragments andnon-immunoglobulin derived protein frameworks that exhibitantigen-binding activity.

By “autologous” is meant something (e.g., cells, tissues etc) derivedfrom the same organism.

The term “allogeneic” as used herein refers to cells, tissues, organismsetc that are of different genetic constitution.

By “alloantigen” is meant an antigen found only in some members of aspecies, such as blood group antigens. By contrast a “xenoantigen”refers to an antigen that is present in members of one species but notmembers of another. Correspondingly, an “allograft” is a graft betweenmembers of the same species and a “xenograft” is a graft between membersof a different species.

Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise,the words “comprise,” “comprises” and “comprising” will be understood toimply the inclusion of a stated step or element or group of steps orelements but not the exclusion of any other step or element or group ofsteps or elements.

By “corresponds to” or “corresponding to” is meant an antigen whichencodes an amino acid sequence that displays substantial similarity toan amino acid sequence in a target antigen. In general the antigen willdisplay at least about 30, 40, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 91,92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99% similarity to at least a portion of thetarget antigen.

By “effective amount,” in the context of modulating an immune responseor treating or preventing a disease or condition, is meant theadministration of that amount of composition to an individual in needthereof, either in a single dose or as part of a series, that iseffective for that modulation, treatment or prevention. The effectiveamount will vary depending upon the health and physical condition of theindividual to be treated, the taxonomic group of individual to betreated, the formulation of the composition, the assessment of themedical situation, and other relevant factors. It is expected that theamount will fall in a relatively broad range that can be determinedthrough routine trials.

Reference herein to “immuno-interactive” includes reference to anyinteraction, reaction, or other form of association between moleculesand in particular where one of the molecules is, or mimics, a componentof the immune system.

Reference herein to “a level or functional activity” in the context of agene expression product (e.g., a protein or a transcript) produced by aspecified cell is to be taken in its broadest sense and includes a levelor functional activity of the expression product that is produced in asingle cell or in a plurality or population of cells. In the lattercase, therefore, it will be understood that the phrase will encompass amean level or functional activity of the protein produced by a pluralityor population of cells.

The terms “patient,” “subject,” “host” or “individual” usedinterchangeably herein, refer to any subject, particularly a vertebratesubject, and even more particularly a mammalian subject, for whomtherapy or prophylaxis is desired. Suitable vertebrate animals that fallwithin the scope of the invention include, but are not restricted to,any member of the subphylum Chordata including primates, rodents (e.g.,mice rats, guinea pigs), lagomorphs (e.g., rabbits, hares), bovines(e.g., cattle), ovines (e.g., sheep), caprines (e.g., goats), porcines(e.g., pigs), equines (e.g., horses), canines (e.g., dogs), felines(e.g., cats), avians (e.g., chickens, turkeys, ducks, geese, companionbirds such as canaries, budgerigars etc), marine mammals (e.g.,dolphins, whales), reptiles (snakes, frogs, lizards etc), and fish. Apreferred subject is a human in need of treatment or prophylaxis for acondition or disease, which is associated with the presence or aberrantexpression of an antigen of interest. However, it will be understoodthat the aforementioned terms do not imply that symptoms are present.

By “pharmaceutically-acceptable carrier” is meant a solid or liquidfiller, diluent or encapsulating substance that may be safely used intopical or systemic administration.

“Polypeptide,” “peptide” and “protein” are used interchangeably hereinto refer to a polymer of amino acid residues and to variants andsynthetic analogues of the same. Thus, these terms apply to amino acidpolymers in which one or more amino acid residues is a syntheticnon-naturally occurring amino acid, such as a chemical analogue of acorresponding naturally occurring amino acid, as well as tonaturally-occurring amino acid polymers.

By “regulatory lymphocyte” is meant a lymphocyte that is involved inregulating or suppressing responses and actions of other cells,especially of other immune cells such as B lymphocytes and T helperlymphocytes.

By “suppression,” “suppressing” and the like is meant any attenuation orregulation of an immune response, including B-lymphocyte and Tlymphocyte immune responses, to an antigen or group of antigens. In someembodiments, the attenuation is mediated at least in part by suppressorT lymphocytes (e.g., CD4⁺CD25⁺ regulatory T lymphocytes).

As used herein, the term “surfactant” refers to any agent, whichpreferentially absorbs to an interface between two immiscible phases,such as the interface between water and an organic polymer solution, awater/air interface or organic solvent/air interface. Surfactantsgenerally possess a hydrophilic moiety and a lipophilic moiety; suchthat, upon absorbing to microparticles, they tend to present moieties tothe external environment that do not attract similarly coated particles,thus reducing particle agglomeration. Surfactants may also promoteabsorption of a therapeutic or diagnostic agent and increasebioavailability of the agent.

As used herein, a particle “incorporating a surfactant” refers to aparticle with a surfactant on at least the surface of the particle. Thesurfactant may be incorporated throughout the particle and on thesurface during particle formation, or may be coated on the particleafter particle formation. The surfactant can be coated on the particlesurface by adsorption, ionic or covalent attachment, or physically“entrapped” by the surrounding matrix. The surfactant can be, forexample, incorporated into controlled release particles, such aspolymeric microspheres.

By “treatment,” “treat,” “treated” and the like is meant to include boththerapeutic and prophylactic treatment.

2. Compositions

The present invention arises in part from the determination thatco-administration of an NF-κB inhibitor and an antigen to an animal witha pre-existing immune response to the antigen, in which both theinhibitor and the antigen are in soluble form or in which one is solubleand the other is in particulate form, is ineffective in producing atolerogenic response to the antigen. By contrast, the present inventorshave discovered that strong tolerogenic responses can be generated inthe animal by administering both the NF-κB inhibitor and the antigen inparticulate form. Accordingly, the present invention providescompositions comprising both an inhibitor of the NF-κB pathway and anantigen that corresponds to a target antigen that is associated with anunwanted immune response for use in eliciting or stimulating toleranceto the target antigen in a range of conditions including ones thatmanifest in allergies, autoimmune diseases or transplant rejection.

2.1 Particles

In accordance with the present invention, the inhibitor and the antigen(also referred to herein as “the bioactive agents”) are contained in orotherwise associated with the same particle or different particles. Avariety of particles may be used in the invention, including but notlimited to, liposomes, micelles, lipidic particles, ceramic/inorganicparticles and polymeric particles, and are typically selected fromnanoparticles and microparticles. The particles are suitably sized forphagocytosis or endocytosis by antigen-presenting cells.Antigen-presenting cells include both professional and facultative typesof antigen-presenting cells. Professional antigen-presenting cellsinclude, but are not limited to, macrophages, monocytes, B lymphocytes,cells of myeloid lineage, including monocytic-granulocytic-DCprecursors, marginal zone Kupffer cells, microglia, T cells, Langerhanscells and dendritic cells including interdigitating dendritic cells andfollicular dendritic cells. Examples of facultative antigen-presentingcells include but are not limited to activated T cells, astrocytes,follicular cells, endothelium and fibroblasts. In some embodiments, theantigen-presenting cell is selected from monocytes, macrophages,B-lymphocytes, cells of myeloid lineage, dendritic cells or Langerhanscells. In specific embodiments, the antigen-presenting cell expressesCD11c and includes a dendritic cell. In illustrative examples, theparticles have a dimension of less than about 100 μm, more suitably inthe range of less than or equal to about 1 μm, although the particlesmay be as large as about 30 μm, and as small as a few nm. Liposomesconsist basically of a phospholipid bilayer forming a shell around anaqueous core. Advantages include the lipophilicity of the outer layerswhich “mimic” the outer membrane layers of cells and that they are takenup relatively easily by a variety of cells. Polymeric vehicles typicallyconsist of micro/nanospheres and micro/nanocapsules formed ofbiocompatible polymers, which are either biodegradable (for example,polylactic acid) or non-biodegradable (for example, ethylenevinylacetate). Some of the advantages of the polymeric devices are ease ofmanufacture and high loading capacity, range of size from nanometer tomicron diameter, as well as controlled release and degradation profile.

In some embodiments, the particles comprise an antigen-binding moleculeon their surface, which is immuno-interactive with a marker that isexpressed at higher levels on antigen-presenting cells (e.g., dendriticcells) than on non-antigen-presenting cells. Illustrative markers ofthis type include MGL, DCL-1, DEC-205, macrophage mannose R, DC-SIGN orother DC or myeloid specific (lectin) receptors, as for exampledisclosed by Hawiger et al. (2001, J Exp Med 194, 769), Kato et al.2003, J Biol Chem 278, 34035), Benito et al. (2004, J Am Chem Soc 126,10355), Schjetne, et al. (2002, Int Immunol 14, 1423) and van Vliet etal., 2006, Nat Immunol September 24; [Epub ahead of print])(van Vliet etal., Immunobiology 2006, 211:577-585).

The particles can be prepared from a combination of the bioactiveagent(s), and a carrier matrix (e.g., surfactant, excipient or polymericmaterial). In some embodiments, the matrices are biodegradable andbiocompatible, and optionally are capable of biodegrading at acontrolled rate for delivery of a therapeutic or diagnostic agent. Theparticles can be made of a variety of materials. Both inorganic andorganic materials can be used as well as polymeric and non-polymericmaterials. Illustrative materials of this type include polar lipids,organic polymers and monomers, poly- and mono-saccharides,ceramic/inorganic materials, polypeptides and proteins. Other suitablematerials include, but are not limited to, gelatin, polyethylene glycol,trehalose, dextran and chitosan. Particles with degradation and releasetimes ranging from seconds to months can be designed and fabricated,based on factors such as the particle material.

2.1.1 Polymeric Particles

Polymeric particles may be formed from any biocompatible and desirablybiodegradable polymer, copolymer, or blend. The polymers may be tailoredto optimize different characteristics of the particle including: i)interactions between the bioactive agents to be delivered and thepolymer to provide stabilization of the bioactive agents and retentionof activity upon delivery; ii) rate of polymer degradation and, thereby,rate of agent release profiles; iii) surface characteristics andtargeting capabilities via chemical modification; and iv) particleporosity.

Surface eroding polymers such as polyanhydrides may be used to form theparticles. For example, polyanhydrides such aspoly[(p-carboxyphenoxy)-hexane anhydride] (PCPH) may be used.Biodegradable polyanhydrides are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,857,311.

In other embodiments, bulk eroding polymers such as those based onpolyesters including poly(hydroxy acids) or poly(esters) can be used.For example, polyglycolic acid (PGA), polylactic acid (PLA), orcopolymers thereof may be used to form the particles. The polyester mayalso have a charged or functionalizable group, such as an amino acid. Inillustrative examples, particles with controlled release properties canbe formed of poly(D,L-lactic acid) and/or poly(D,L-lactic-co-glycolicacid) (“PLGA”).

Other polymers include poly(alkylcyanoacrylates), polyamides,polycarbonates, polyalkylenes such as polyethylene, polypropylene,poly(ethylene glycol), poly(ethylene oxide), poly(ethyleneterephthalate), poly vinyl compounds such as polyvinyl alcohols,polyvinyl ethers, and polyvinyl esters, polymers of acrylic andmethacrylic acids, celluloses and other polysaccharides, and peptides orproteins, or copolymers or blends thereof. Polymers may be selected withor modified to have the appropriate stability and degradation rates invivo for different controlled drug delivery applications.

In some embodiments, particles are formed from functionalized polymerssuch as polyester graft copolymers, as described in Hrkach et al. (1995,Macromolecules, 28:4736-4739; and “Poly(L-Lactic acid-co-amino acid)Graft Copolymers: A Class of Functional Biodegradable Biomaterials” inHydrogels and Biodegradable Polymers for Bioapplications, ACS SymposiumSeries No. 627, Raphael M. Ottenbrite et al., Eds., American ChemicalSociety, Chapter 8, pp. 93-101, 1996.)

Materials other than biodegradable polymers may be used to form theparticles. Suitable materials include various non-biodegradable polymersand various excipients. The particles also may be formed of thebioactive agent(s) and surfactant alone.

Polymeric particles may be prepared using single and double emulsionsolvent evaporation, spray drying, solvent extraction, solventevaporation, phase separation, simple and complex coacervation,interfacial polymerization, and other methods well known to those ofordinary skill in the art. Particles may be made using methods formaking microspheres or microcapsules known in the art, provided that theconditions are optimized for forming particles with the desireddiameter.

Methods developed for making microspheres for delivery of encapsulatedagents are described in the literature, for example, as described inDoubrow, M., Ed., “Microcapsules and Nanoparticles in Medicine andPharmacy,” CRC Press, Boca Raton, 1992. Methods also are described inMathiowitz and Langer (1987, J. Controlled Release 5, 13-22); Mathiowitzet al. (1987, Reactive Polymers 6, 275-283); and Mathiowitz et al.(1988, J. Appl. Polymer Sci. 35, 755-774) as well as in U.S. Pat. No.5,213,812, U.S. Pat. No. 5,417,986, U.S. Pat. No. 5,360,610, and U.S.Pat. No. 5,384,133. The selection of the method depends on the polymerselection, the size, external morphology, and crystallinity that isdesired, as described, for example, by Mathiowitz et al. (1990, ScanningMicroscopy 4: 329-340; 1992, J. Appl. Polymer Sci. 45, 125-134); andBenita et al. (1984, J. Pharm. Sci. 73, 1721-1724).

In solvent evaporation, described for example, in Mathiowitz et al.,(1990), Benita; and U.S. Pat. No. 4,272,398 to Jaffe, the polymer isdissolved in a volatile organic solvent, such as methylene chloride.Several different polymer concentrations can be used, for example,between 0.005 and 2.0 g/mL. The bioactive agent(s), either in solubleform or dispersed as fine particles, is (are) added to the polymersolution, and the mixture is suspended in an aqueous phase that containsa surface-active agent such as poly(vinyl alcohol). The aqueous phasemay be, for example, a concentration of 1% poly(vinyl alcohol) w/v indistilled water. The resulting emulsion is stirred until most of theorganic solvent evaporates, leaving solid microspheres, which may bewashed with water and dried overnight in a lyophilizer. Microsphereswith different sizes (between 0.1 and 1000 μm) and morphologies can beobtained by this method.

Solvent removal was primarily designed for use with less stablepolymers, such as the polyanhydrides. In this method, the agent isdispersed or dissolved in a solution of a selected polymer in a volatileorganic solvent like methylene chloride. The mixture is then suspendedin oil, such as silicon oil, by stirring, to form an emulsion. Within 24hours, the solvent diffuses into the oil phase and the emulsion dropletsharden into solid polymer microspheres. Unlike the hot-meltmicroencapsulation method described for example in Mathiowitz et al.(1987, Reactive Polymers, 6:275), this method can be used to makemicrospheres from polymers with high melting points and a wide range ofmolecular weights. Microspheres having a diameter for example betweenone and 300 microns can be obtained with this procedure.

With some polymeric systems, polymeric particles prepared using a singleor double emulsion technique, vary in size depending on the size of thedroplets. If droplets in water-in-oil emulsions are not of a suitablysmall size to form particles with the desired size range, smallerdroplets can be prepared, for example, by sonication or homogenation ofthe emulsion, or by the addition of surfactants.

If the particles prepared by any of the above methods have a size rangeoutside of the desired range, particles can be sized, for example, usinga sieve, and optionally further separated according to density usingtechniques known to those of skill in the art.

The polymeric particles can be prepared by spray drying. Methods ofspray drying, such as that disclosed in PCT WO 96/09814 by Sutton andJohnson, disclose the preparation of smooth, spherical microparticles ofa water-soluble material with at least 90% of the particles possessing amean size between 1 and 10 p.m.

2.1.2 Ceramic Particles

Ceramic particles may also be used to deliver the bioactive agents ofthe invention. These particles are typically prepared using processessimilar to the well known sol-gel process and usually require simple androom temperature conditions as described for example in Brinker et al.(“Sol-Gel Science: The Physics and Chemistry of Sol-Gel Processing;”Academic Press: San Diego, 1990, p-60), and Avnir et al. (1994, Chem.Mater. 6, 1605). Ceramic particles can be prepared with desired size,shape and porosity, and are extremely stable. These particles alsoeffectively protect doped molecules (polypeptides, drugs etc.) againstdenaturation induced by extreme pH and temperature (Jain et al., 1998,J. Am. Chem. Soc. 120, 11092-11095). In addition, their surfaces can beeasily functionalized with different groups (Lal et al., 2000, Chem.Mater. 12, 2632-2639; Badley et al., 1990, Langmuir, 6, 792-801), andtherefore they can be attached to a variety of monoclonal antibodies andother ligands in order to target them to desired sites in vivo.

Various ceramic particles have been described for delivery in vivo ofactive agent-containing payloads. For example, British Patent 1 590 574discloses incorporation of biologically active components in a sol-gelmatrix. International Publication WO 97/45367 discloses controllablydissolvable silica xerogels prepared via a sol-gel process, into which abiologically active agent is incorporated by impregnation intopre-sintered particles (1 to 500 μm) or disks. International PublicationWO 0050349 discloses controllably biodegradable silica fibres preparedvia a sol-gel process, into which a biologically active agent isincorporated during synthesis of the fibre. U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub.20040180096 describes ceramic nanoparticles in which a bioactivesubstance is entrapped. The ceramic nanoparticles are made by formationof a micellar composition of the dye. The ceramic material is added tothe micellar composition and the ceramic nanoparticles are precipitatedby alkaline hydrolysis. U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. 20050123611 disclosescontrolled release ceramic particles comprising an active materialsubstantially homogeneously dispersed throughout the particles. Theseparticles are prepared by mixing a surfactant with an apolar solvent toprepare a reverse micelle solution; (b) dissolving a gel precursor, acatalyst, a condensing agent and a soluble active material in a polarsolvent to prepare a precursor solution; (c) combining the reversemicelle solution and the precursor solution to provide an emulsion and(d) condensing the precursor in the emulsion. U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub.20060210634 discloses adsorbing bioactive substances onto ceramicparticles comprising a metal oxide (e.g., titanium oxide, zirconiumoxide, scandium oxide, cerium oxide and yttrium oxide) by evaporation.Kortesuo et al. (2000, Int J. Pharm. May 10; 200(2):223-229) disclose aspray drying method to produce spherical silica gel particles with anarrow particle size range for controlled delivery of drugs such astoremifene citrate and dexmedetomidine HCl. Wang et al. (2006, Int J.Pharm. 308(1-2):160-167) describe the combination of adsorption byporous CaCO₃ microparticles and encapsulation by polyelectrolytemultilayer films for delivery of bioactive substances.

2.1.3 Liposomes

Liposomes can be produced by standard methods such as those reported byKim et al. (1983, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 728, 339-348); Liu et al.(1992, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 1104, 95-101); Lee et al. (1992, Biochim.Biophys. Acta. 1103, 185-197), Brey et al. (U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub.20020041861), Hass et al. (U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. 20050232984), Kisak etal. (U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. 20050260260) and Smyth-Templeton et al. (U.S.Pat. Appl. Pub. 20060204566). Additionally, reference may be made toCopeland et al. (2005, Immunol. Cell Biol. 83: 95-105) who review lipidbased particulate formulations for the delivery of antigen, and toBramwell et al. (2005, Crit. Rev Ther Drug Carrier Syst. 22(2):151-214;2006, J Pharm Pharmacol. 58(6):717-728) who review particulate deliverysystems for vaccines, including methods for the preparation ofprotein-loaded liposomes. Many liposome formulations using a variety ofdifferent lipid components have been used in various in vitro cellculture and animal experiments. Parameters have been identified thatdetermine liposomal properties and are reported in the literature, forexample, by Lee et al. (1992, Biochim. Biophys. Acta. 1103, 185-197);Liu et al. (1992, Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1104, 95-101); and Wang et al.(1989, Biochem. 28, 9508-951).

In some embodiments, preparative methods based on hydration ofdried-lipid film are used, in which the lipids of choice (and anyorganic-soluble bioactive), dissolved in an organic solvent, are mixedand dried onto the bottom of a glass container under vacuum. The lipidfilm is rehydrated using an aqueous buffered solution containing anywater-soluble bioactives to be encapsulated by gentle swirling. Thehydrated lipid vesicles can then be further processed by extrusion,submitted to a series of freeze-thawing cycles or dehydrated and thenrehydrated to promote encapsulation of bioactives. Liposomes can then bewashed by centrifugation or loaded onto a size-exclusion column toremove unentrapped bioactive from the liposome formulation and stored at4° C. The basic method for liposome preparation is described in moredetail in Thierry et al. (1992, Nuc. Acids Res. 20:5691-5698).

A particle carrying a payload of bioactive agent(s) can be made usingthe procedure as described in: Pautot et al. (2003, Proc. Natl. Acad.Sci. USA, 100(19):10718-21). Using the Pautot et al. technique,streptavidin-coated lipids (DPPC, DSPC, and similar lipids) can be usedto manufacture liposomes. The drug encapsulation technique described byNeedham et al. (2001, Advanced Drug Delivery Reviews, 53(3): 285-305)can be used to load these vesicles with one or more active agents.

The liposomes can be prepared by exposing chloroformic solution ofvarious lipid mixtures to high vacuum and subsequently hydrating theresulting lipid films (DSPC/CHOL) with pH 4 buffers, and extruding themthrough polycarbonated filters, after a freezing and thawing procedure.It is possible to use DPPC supplemented with DSPC or cholesterol toincrease encapsulation efficiency or increase stability, etc. Atransmembrane pH gradient is created by adjusting the pH of theextravesicular medium to 7.5 by addition of an alkalinization agent. Abioactive agent (e.g., a small molecule inhibitor of the NF-κB pathway,which is, for example, a weak base) can be subsequently entrapped byaddition of a solution of the bioactive agent in small aliquots to thevesicle solution, at an elevated temperature, to allow accumulation ofthe bioactive agent inside the liposomes.

Other lipid-based particles suitable for the delivery of the bioactiveagents of the present invention such as niosomes are described byCopeland et al. (2005, Immunol. Cell Biol. 83: 95-105).

2.1.4 Ballistic Particles

The bioactive agents of the present invention may be attached to (e.g.,by coating or conjugation) or otherwise associated with particlessuitable for use in needleless or “ballistic” (biolistic) delivery.Illustrative particles for ballistic delivery are described, forexample, in: International Publications WO 02/101412; WO 02/100380; WO02/43774; WO 02/19989; WO 01/93829; WO 01/83528; WO 00/63385; WO00/26385; WO 00/19982; WO 99/01168; WO 98/10750; and WO 97/48485. Itshall be understood, however, that such particles are not limited totheir use with a ballistic delivery device and can otherwise beadministered by any alternative technique (e.g., injection ormicroneedle delivery) through which particles are deliverable to immunecells.

The active agents can be coated or chemically coupled to carrierparticles (e.g., core carriers) using a variety of techniques known inthe art. Carrier particles are selected from materials which have asuitable density in the range of particle sizes typically used forintracellular delivery. The optimum carrier particle size will, ofcourse, depend on the diameter of the target cells. Illustrativeparticles have a size ranging from about 0.01 to about 250 μm, fromabout 0.05 to about 50 μm, and from about 1 to about 10 μm; and aparticle density ranging from about 0.1 to about 25 g/cm³. Non-limitingparticles of this type include metal particles such as, tungsten, gold,platinum and iridium carrier particles. Tungsten particles are readilyavailable in average sizes of 0.5 to 2.0 μm in diameter. Gold particlesor microcrystalline gold (e.g., gold powder A1570, available fromEngelhard Corp., East Newark, N.J.) may also be used. Gold particlesprovide uniformity in size (available from Alpha Chemicals in particlesizes of 1-3 μm, or available from Degussa, South Plainfield, N.J. in arange of particle sizes including 0.95 μm) and low toxicity.Microcrystalline gold provides a diverse particle size distribution,typically in the range of 0.1-5 μm. The irregular surface area ofmicrocrystalline gold provides for highly efficient coating with theactive agents of the present invention.

Many methods are known and have been described for adsorbing, couplingor otherwise attaching bioactive molecules (e.g., hydrophilic moleculessuch as proteins and nucleic acids) onto particles such as gold ortungsten particles. In illustrative examples, such methods combine apredetermined amount of gold or tungsten with the bioactive molecules,CaCl₂ and spermidine. In other examples, ethanol is used to precipitatethe bioactive molecules onto gold or tungsten particles (see, forexample, Jumar et al., 2004, Phys Med. Biol. 49:3603-3612). Theresulting solution is suitably vortexed continually during the coatingprocedure to ensure uniformity of the reaction mixture. After attachmentof the bioactive molecules, the particles can be transferred for exampleto suitable membranes and allowed to dry prior to use, coated ontosurfaces of a sample module or cassette, or loaded into a deliverycassette for use in particular particle-mediated delivery instruments.

The formulated compositions may suitably be prepared as particles usingstandard techniques, such as by simple evaporation (air drying), vacuumdrying, spray drying, freeze drying (lyophilization), spray-freezedrying, spray coating, precipitation, supercritical fluid particleformation, and the like. If desired, the resultant particles can bedandified using the techniques described in International Publication WO97/48485.

2.1.5 Surfactants

Surfactants which can be incorporated into, or used to fabricate,particles include phosphoglycerides. Exemplary phosphoglycerides includephosphatidylcholines, such as the naturally occurring surfactant,L-α-phosphatidylcholine dipalmitoyl (“DPPC”). The surfactantsadvantageously improve surface properties by, for example, reducingparticle-particle interactions, and can render the surface of theparticles less adhesive. The use of surfactants endogenous to the lungmay avoid the need for the use of non-physiologic surfactants.

Providing a surfactant on the surfaces of the particles can reduce thetendency of the particles to agglomerate due to interactions such aselectrostatic interactions, Van der Waals forces, and capillary action.The presence of the surfactant on the particle surface can provideincreased surface rugosity (roughness), thereby improving aerosolizationby reducing the surface area available for intimate particle-particleinteraction.

Surfactants known in the art can be used including any naturallyoccurring surfactant. Other exemplary surfactants include phospholipidssuch as diphosphatidyl glycerol (DPPG) or phosphatidylethanolamine;fatty alcohols or fatty acids such as palmitic acid or oleic acidpolyoxyethylene-9-lauryl ether; sorbitan esters such as sorbitantrioleate (Span 85); bile salts; and amphiphilic polymers such aspoloxamers or proteins.

2.2 Inhibitors of NF-κB Function

The inhibitor of NF-κB function includes any molecule or compound thatreduces the level or functional activity of NF-κB in immune cells,especially antigen-presenting cells. In some embodiments, the inhibitorof NF-κB function decreases the level or functional activity of a memberof the NF-κB pathway, which is suitably selected from BTK, LYN, BCR Igα,BCR Igβ, Syk, Blnk, PLCγ2, PKCβ, DAG, CARMA1, BCL10, MALT1, PI3K, PIP3,AKT, p38 MAPK, ERK, COT, IKKα, IKKβ, IKKγ, NIK, RelA/p65, P105/p50,c-Rel, RelB, p52, NIK, Leu13, CD81, CD19, CD21 and its ligands in thecomplement and coagulation cascade, TRAF6, ubiquitin ligase, Tab2, TAK1,NEMO, NOD2, RIP2, Lck, fyn, Zap70, LAT, GRB2, SOS, CD3 zeta, Slp-76,GADS, ITK, PLCγ1, PKCθ, ICOS, CD28, SHP2, SAP, SLAM and 2B4. Inillustrative examples of this type, the NF-κB pathway inhibitordecreases the level or functional activity of any one or more ofRelA/p65, P105/p50, c-Rel, RelB or p52. Suitably, in these embodiments,the inhibitor of NF-κB function blocks, inhibits or otherwiseantagonizes at least one function or activity of the member. In otherembodiments, the inhibitor of NF-κB function increases the level orfunctional activity of a member of the NF-κB pathway, which is suitablyselected from SHP1, SHIP, PIR-B, CD22, CD72, FcgRIIB, IκB, P100, CTLA4,PD-1, Cb1, KIR3DL1, KIR3DL2, KIR2DL and Csk. In these embodiments, theinhibitor of NF-κB function increases, stimulates or otherwise agonizesat least one function or activity of the member.

Many inhibitors of NF-κB function have been described and representativeexamples are listed in the following tables:

TABLE 1 ANTI-OXIDANTS THAT INHIBIT ACTIVATION OF NF-KB MoleculeReference a-lipoic acid Sen et al., 1998 Jun 18; Biochem Biophys ResCommun; 247(2): 223-8; Suzuki et al., 1992 Dec 30; Biochem Biophys ResCommun.; 189(3): 1709-15 a-tocopherol Islam et al., 1998 Nov 24;Circulation; 98(21): 2255-61 Aged garlic extract (allicin) Ide & Lau,2001 Mar; J Nutr; 131(3s): 1020S-6S. Lang et al., 2004 Oct; Clin Nutr;23(5): 1199-208. 2-Amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5- Yun et al., 2005Jan 5; Toxicology; b]pyridine (PhIP) 217(1): 31-8. Epub 2005 Sep 15.N-acetyldopamine dimers (from P. cicadae) Xu et al., 2006 Aug 16; BioorgMed Chem. Allopurinol Gomez-Cabrera et al., 2006 Aug; Br J Nutr; 96Suppl 1: S31-3 Anetholdithiolthione Sen et al., 1996 Jan 5; BiochemBiophys Res Commun; 218(1): 148-53 Apocynin Barbieri et al., 2004 Jul15; Free Radic Biol Med; 37(2): 156-65. Apple juice/extracts Shi &Jiang, 2002; J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol; 21(3): 233-42. Davis etal., 2006 May; Exp Biol Med (Maywood); 231(5): 594-8 Aretemsia p7F(5,6,3′,5′-tetramethoxy 7,4′- Lee et al., 2004 Dec; Ann N Y Acadhydroxyflavone) Sci; 1030: 555-68 Astaxanthin Lee et al., 2003 Aug 31;Mol Cells; 16(1): 97-105. Benidipine Matsubara & Hazegawa, Eur JPharmacol. 2004 Sep 13; 498(1-3): 303-14 bis-eugenol Murakami et al.,Biochem Pharmacol. 2003 Sep 15; 66(6): 1061-6 Bruguiera gymnorrhizacompounds Homhual et al., Planta Med. 2006 Feb; 72(3): 255-60. Butylatedhydroxyanisole (BHA) Israël et al., J Immunol. 1992 Nov 15; 149(10):3386-93. Schulze-Osthoff et al., EMBO J. 1993 Aug; 12(8): 3095-104.Cepharanthine Okamoto et al., J Biol Chem. 1994 Mar 18; 269(11): 8582-9.Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester (3,4- Natarajan et al., Proc Natl Acad SciU S A. dihydroxycinnamic acid, CAPE) 1996 Aug 20; 93(17): 9090-5Carnosol Lo et al., Carcinogenesis. 2002 Jun; 23(6): 983-91 Huang etal., Biochem Pharmacol. 2005 Jan 15; 69(2): 221-32. Epub 2004 Nov 23.beta-Carotene Bai et al., Exp Mol Med. 2005 Aug 31; 37(4): 323-34Carvedilol Yang et al., Cardiovasc Res. 2003 Sep 1; 59(3): 776-87Catechol Derivatives Suzuki & Packer, Biochem Mol Biol Int. 1994 Feb;32(2): 299-305 Chlorogenic acid Feng et al., J Biol Chem. 2005 Jul 29;280(30): 27888-95. Epub 2005 Jun 8. Cocoa polyphenols Lee et al., JNutr. 2006 May; 136(5): 1150-5. Curcumin (Diferulolylmethane) Singh &Aggarwal, J Biol Chem. 1995 Oct 20; 270(42): 24995-5000Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and DHEA- Iwasaki et al., J ClinEndocrinol Metab. sulfate (DHEAS) 2004 Jul; 89(7): 3449-54 Liu et al.,Cancer Res. 2005 Mar 15; 65(6): 2269-76 Dibenzylbutyrolactone lignansCho et al., Int Immunopharmacol. 2002 Jan; 2(1): 105-16Diethyldithiocarbamate (DDC) Schreck et al., J Exp Med. 1992 May 1;175(5): 1181-94. Diferoxamine Sappey et al., AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses.1995 Sep; 11(9): 1049-61; Schreck et al., Free Radic Res Commun. 1992;17(4): 221-37 Dihydroisoeugenol Murakami et al., Arch Biochem Biophys.2005 Feb 15; 434(2): 326-32 Dihydrolipoic Acid Suzuki et al., BiochemBiophys Res Commun. 1992 Dec 30; 189(3): 1709-15; Suzuki et al., BiochemMol Biol Int. 1995 Jun; 36(2): 241-6 Dilazep + fenofibric acid Sonoki etal., Eur J Pharmacol. 2003 Aug 15; 475(1-3): 139-47; Yang et al., NaunynSchmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2005 May; 371(5): 401-7. Epub 2005 May 25Dimethyldithiocarbamates (DMDTC) Pyatt et al., Toxicology. 1998 Jul 3;128(2): 83-90. Dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) Kelly et al., Infect Immun. 1994Aug; 62(8): 3122-8. Disulfiram Schreck et al., Free Radic Res Commun.1992; 17(4): 221-37. Ebselen Schreck et al., Free Radic Res Commun.1992; 17(4): 221-37 Edaravone Kokura et al., Cancer Lett. 2005 Nov 18;229(2): 223-33. Epub 2005 Aug 10 EPC-K1 (phosphodiester compound ofvitamin E Hirano et al., Immunopharmacology. 1998 and vitamin C) Mar;39(1): 31-8 Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG; green tea Lin & Lin, MolPharmacol. 1997 polyphenols) Sep; 52(3): 465-72; Yang et al., J Nutr.1998 Dec; 128(12): 2334-40. Ergothioneine Rahman et al., Biochem BiophysRes Commun. 2003 Mar 21; 302(4): 860-4 Ethyl Pyruvate (Glutathionedepletion) Song et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2004 Jan; 308(1): 307-16.Epub 2003 Oct 20.; Tsung et al., Transplantation. 2005 Jan 27; 79(2):196-204 Ethylene Glycol Tetraacetic Acid (EGTA) Janssen et al., MethodsEnzymol. 1999; 300: 363-74 Flavonoids (Crataegus; Boerhaavia diffusaroot; Zhang et al., J Neurochem. 2004 xanthohumol) Jul; 90(1): 211-9;Chen et al., Mol Pharmacol. 2004 Sep; 66(3): 683-93.; Pandey et al., IntImmunopharmacol. 2005 Mar; 5(3): 541-53; Albini et al., FASEB J. 2006Mar; 20(3): 527-9. Epub 2005 Dec 30; Colgate et al., Cancer Lett. 2006Mar 22; [Epub ahead of print] Folic acid Au-Yeung et al., Can J PhysiolPharmacol. 2006 Jan; 84(1): 141-7 Gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase(gamma- Manna et al., Oncogene. 1999 Jul GCS) 29; 18(30): 4371-82Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharides Zhang et al., Life Sci. 2003 Sep 19;73(18): 2307-19. Garcinol (from extract of Garcinia indica fruit Liao etal., Mol Carcinog. 2004 rind) Nov; 41(3): 140-9 Ginkgo biloba extractChen et al., Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2003 Sep 1; 23(9): 1559-66.Epub 2003 Jul 31 Glutathione Cho et al., Biochem Biophys Res Commun.1998 Dec 9; 253(1): 104-8; Schreck et al., Free Radic Res Commun. 1992;17(4): 221-37 Hematein Choi et al., J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2003 Aug;42(2): 287-95 Hydroquinone Pyatt et al., Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1998Apr; 149(2): 178-84.; Yang et al., Zhongguo Shi Yan Xue Ye Xue Za Zhi.2006 Aug; 14(4): 804-7 23-hydroxyursolic acid Shin et al., Planta Med.2004 Sep; 70(9): 803-7 IRFI 042 (Vitamin E-like compound) Altavilla etal., Free Radic Biol Med. 2001 May 15; 30(10): 1055-66 Iron tetrakisKang et al., Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 2003 Sep 1; 191(2): 147-55.Isovitexin Lin et al., Planta Med. 2005 Aug; 71(8): 748-53 Kangen-karyuextract Satoh et al., J Pharm Pharmacol. 2005 Oct; 57(10): 1335-43L-cysteine Mihm et al., AIDS. 1991 May; 5(5): 497-503 LacidipineCominacini et al., J Hypertens. 1997 Dec; 15(12 Pt 2): 1633-40 LazaroidsMarubayashi et al., Transplant Proc. 2002 Nov; 34(7): 2662-3Ligonberries Wang et al., J Agric Food Chem. 2005 Apr 20; 53(8): 3156-66Lupeol Saleem et al., Oncogene. 2004 Jul 1; 23(30): 5203-14 MagnololChen et al., Br J Pharmacol. 2002 Jan; 135(1): 37-47 Maltol Yang et al.,J Biochem Mol Biol. 2006 Mar 31; 39(2): 145-9 Manganese superoxidedismutase (Mn-SOD) Manna et al., J Biol Chem. 1998 May 22; 273(21):13245-54 Extract of the stem bark of Mangifera indica L. Leiro et al.,Int Immunopharmacol. 2004 Aug; 4(8): 991-1003; Garrido et al., PhytotherRes. 2005 Mar; 19(3): 211-5 Melatonin Gilad et al., FASEB J. 1998 Jun;12(9): 685-93; Mohan et al., Biochem Mol Biol Int. 1995 Dec; 37(6):1063-70; Li et al., Mediators Inflamm. 2005 Aug 31; 2005(4): 185-93Mulberry anthocyanins Chen et al., Cancer Lett. 2006 Apr 28; 235(2):248-59. Epub 2005 Jun 22 N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC) Schreck et al., EMBOJ. 1991 Aug; 10(8): 2247-58 Nacyselyn (NAL) Antonicelli et al., FreeRadic Biol Med. 2002 Mar 15; 32(6): 492-502 Nordihydroguaiaritic acid(NDGA) Brennan & O'Neill, Biochem Pharmacol. 1998 Apr 1; 55(7): 965-73;Israël et al., J Immunol. 1992 Nov 15; 149(10): 3386-93; Schulze-Osthoffet al., EMBO J. 1993 Aug; 12(8): 3095-104; Staal et al., AIDS Res HumRetroviruses. 1993 Apr; 9(4): 299-306 Ochnaflavone Suh et al., ArchBiochem Biophys. 2006 Mar 15; 447(2): 136-46. Epub 2006 Feb 10Orthophenanthroline Schreck et al., Free Radic Res Commun. 1992; 17(4):221-37 Phenolic antioxidants (Hydroquinone and tert- Ma et al., 2003butyl hydroquinone) alpha-phenyl-n-tert-butyl-nitrone (PBN) Kotake etal., Biochim Biophys Acta. 1998 Nov 19; 1448(1): 77-84; Lin et al.,Neurosci Lett. 2006 Sep 11; 405(1-2): 52-6. Epub 2006 Jul 28Phenylarsine oxide (PAO, tyrosine phosphatase Arbault et al., BiomedPharmacother. inhibitor) 1997; 51(10): 430-8 Phyllanthus urinariaChularojmontri et al., Biol Pharm Bull. 2005 Jul; 28(7): 1165-71Pyrrolinedithiocarbamate (PDTC) Schreck et al., J Exp Med. 1992 May 1;175(5): 1181-94 Quercetin (low concentrations) Musonda & Chipman,Carcinogenesis. 1998 Sep; 19(9): 1583-9; Shih et al., Eur J Pharmacol.2004 Aug 2; 496(1-3): 41-8 Red wine Blanco-Colio et al., Circulation.2000 Aug 29; 102(9): 1020-6; Cui & He, Zhonghua Yu Fang Yi Xue Za Zhi.2004 Mar; 38(2): 103-6 Ref-1 (redox factor 1) Ozaki et al., FASEB J.2002 Jun; 16(8): 889-90. Epub 2002 Apr 23 Rg(3), a ginseng derivativeKeum et al., Mutat Res. 2003 Feb-Mar; 523-524: 75-85 RotenoneSchulze-Osthoff et al., EMBO J. 1993 Aug; 12(8): 3095-104 RoxithromycinUeno et al., Clin Cancer Res. 2005 Aug 1; 11(15): 5645-50S-allyl-cysteine (SAC, garlic compound) Geng et al., Free Radic BiolMed. 1997; 23(2): 345-50 Sauchinone Lee et al., Br J Pharmacol. 2003May; 139(1): 11-20.; Hwang et al., Planta Med. 2003 Dec; 69(12):1096-101 Spironolactone Han et al., J Am Soc Nephrol. 2006 May; 17(5):1362-72. Epub 2006 Mar 29 Strawberry extracts Wang et al., J Agric FoodChem. 2005 May 18; 53(10): 4187-93 Taxifolin Wang et al., J Biomed Sci.2006 Jan; 13(1): 127-41. 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TABLE 2A PROTEASOME AND PROTEASES INHIBITORS OF REL/NF-KB MoleculeReferences Proteasome inhibitors Peptide Aldehydes: Palombella et al.,Cell. 1994 Sep 9; 78(5): 773-85; Grisham et al., Methods Enzymol. 1999;300: 345-63; Jobin et al., Gut. 1998 Jun; 42(6): 779-87 ALLnL(N-acetyl-leucinyl-leucynil-norleucynal, MG101) LLM(N-acetyl-leucinyl-leucynil-methional) Z-LLnV(carbobenzoxyl-leucinyl-leucynil- norvalinal, MG115) Z-LLL(carbobenzoxyl-leucinyl-leucynil-leucynal, MG132) Lactacystine,b-lactone Fenteany & Schreiber, J Biol Chem. 1998 Apr 10; 273(15):8545-8; Grisham et al., Methods Enzymol. 1999; 300: 345-63 Boronic AcidPeptide Grisham et al., Methods Enzymol. 1999; 300: 345-63; Iqbal etal., J Med Chem. 1995 Jun 23; 38(13): 2276-7 Ubiquitin Ligase InhibitorsYaron et al., EMBO J. 1997 Nov 3; 16(21): 6486-94 PS-341 (Bortezomib)Adams, Cancer Cell. 2004 May; 5(5): 417-21 Salinosporamide A (1,NPI-0052) Macherla et al., J Med Chem. 2005 Jun 2; 48(11): 3684-7Cyclosporin A Frantz et al, EMBO J. 1994 Feb 15; 13(4): 861-70; Kunz etal., Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1995 Nov 13; 216(2): 438-46; Marienfeldet al., Eur J Immunol. 1997 Jul; 27(7): 1601-9; McCaffrey et al.,Nucleic Acids Res. 1994 Jun 11; 22(11): 2134-42; Meyer et al., FEBSLett. 1997 Aug 18; 413(2): 354-8; Wechsler et al., J Immunol. 1994 Sep15; 153(6): 2515-23 FK506 (Tacrolimus) Okamoto et al., J Biol Chem. 1994Mar 18; 269(11): 8582-9; Venkataraman et al., J Exp Med. 1995 Mar 1;181(3): 1091-9 Deoxyspergualin Tepper et al., J Immunol. 1995 Sep 1;155(5): 2427-36 Disulfiram Lovborg et al., Int J Cancer. 2006 Mar 15;118(6): 1577-80 Protease inhibitors APNE (N-acetyl-DL-phenylalanine-b-Higuchi et al., Blood. 1995 Sep naphthylester) 15; 86(6): 2248-56 BTEE(N-benzoyl L-tyrosine-ethylester) Rossi et al., J Biol Chem. 1998 Jun26; 273(26): 16446-52 DCIC (3,4-dichloroisocoumarin) D'Acquisto et al.,FEBS Lett. 1998 Nov 27; 440(1-2): 76-80 DFP (diisopropylfluorophosphate) TPCK (N-a-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone)TLCK (N-a-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone)

TABLE 2B IκBα PHOSPHORYLATION AND/OR DEGRADATION INHIBITORS MoleculePoint of Inhibition References BAY 11-7082 IκBα phosphorylation Pierceet al. J. Biol Chem 1997; 272, 21096-21103 BioMol, Plymouth Meeting, PABAY 11-7085 IκBα phosphorylation Pierce et al. J. Biol Chem 1997; 272,21096-21103 BioMol, Plymouth Meeting, PA Desloratadine Histamine H1receptor Wu et al., Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2004 Dec; 135(4): 313-8.Epub 2004 Nov 24 Salmeterol, fluticasone beta2 agonists Baouz et al.,Int Immunol. 2005 propionate Nov; 17(11): 1473-81. Epub 2005 Oct 6CPU0213 Endothelin receptor He et al., Acta Pharmacol Sin. antagonist2006 Sep; 27(9): 1213-21 Erbin overexpression NOD2 inhibitor McDonald etal., J Biol Chem. 2005 Dec 2; 280(48): 40301-9. Epub 2005 Oct 3Protein-bound LPS-CD14 interaction Asai et al., FEMS Immunol Medpolysaccharide from Microbiol. 2005 Jan 1; 43(1): 91-8. basidiomycetesCalagualine (fern derivative) upstream of IKK (TRAF2- Manna et al.,Cancer Lett. 2003 NIK) Feb 20; 190(2): 171-82 NS3/4A (HCV protease)upstream of IKK Karayiannis, J Hepatol. 2005 Oct; 43(4): 743-5 golliBG21 (product of upstream of IKK (PKC) Feng et al., J Neuroimmunol.myelin basic protein) 2004 Jul; 152(1-2): 57-66 NPM-ALK oncoproteinTraf2 inhibition Horie et al., Cancer Cell. 2004 Apr; 5(4): 353-64 NS5A(Hepatitis C virus) Traf2 inhibition Park et al., J Biol Chem. 2002 Apr12; 277(15): 13122-8. Epub 2002 Jan 30 LY29 and LY30 PI3 Kinaseinhibitors Choi et al., FEBS Lett. 2004 Feb 13; 559(1-3): 141-4Evodiamine (Evodiae AKT-IKK interaction Takada et al., J Biol Chem. 2005Fructus component) Apr 29; 280(17): 17203-12. Epub 2005 Feb 14 Rituximab(anti-CD20 up-regulates Raf-1 kinase Jazirehi et al., Cancer Res. 2005antibody) inhibitor Jan 1; 65(1): 264-76 Kinase suppressor of ras MEKK3inhibitor Channavajhala et al., Biochem (KSR2) Biophys Res Commun. 2005Sep 9; 334(4): 1214-8 M2L (Vaccinia virus) ERK2 inhibitor Gedey et al.,J Virol. 2006 Sep; 80(17): 8676-85 Pefabloc (serine protease upstream ofIKK Tando et al., Digestion. inhibitor) 2002; 66(4): 237-45 Rocaglamides(Aglaia upstream of IKK Baumann et al., J Biol Chem. derivatives) 2002Nov 22; 277(47): 44791-800. Epub 2002 Sep 16 Betaine NIK/IKK Hu et al.,J Biol Chem. 2004 Aug 20; 279(34): 35975-83. Epub 2004 Jun 18 TNAP NIKGo et al., J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2005 Oct; 60(10): 1252-64Geldanamycin IKK complex formation Chen et al., Mol Cell. 2002 Feb;9(2): 401-10 Grape seed IKKa activity Mantena & Katiyar, Free Radicproanthocyanidins Biol Med. 2006 May 1; 40(9): 1603-14. Epub 2006 Jan 26MC160 (Molluscum IKKa activity Nichols & Shisler, J Virol. 2006contagiosum virus) Jan; 80(2): 578-86 NS5B (Hepatitis C protein) IKKaactivity Choi et al., Mol Cell Biol. 2006 Apr; 26(8): 3048-59Pomegranate fruit extract IKKa activity Afaq et al., PhotochemPhotobiol. 2005 Jan-Feb; 81(1): 38-45; Khan et al., Carcinogenesis. 2006Aug 18; [Epub ahead of print] Tetrandine (plant alkaloid) IKKa activityHo et al., Br J Pharmacol. 2004 Dec; 143(7): 919-27. Epub 2004 Oct 25BMS-345541 (4(2′- IKKa and IKKb kinase Burke et al., J Biol Chem. 2003Aminoethyl)amino-1,8- activity Jan 17; 278(3): 1450-6. Epub 2002dimethylimidazo(1,2-a) Oct 25; quinoxaline) Yang et al., 20062-amino-3-cyano-4-aryl-6- IKKb activity Murata et al., Bioorg Med Chem(2-hydroxy-phenyl)pyridine Lett. 2003 Mar 10; 13(5): 913-8, derivativesMurata et al., Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2004 Aug 2; 14(15): 4013-7, Murataet al., Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2004 Aug 2; 14(15): 4019-22 Acrolein IKKbactivity Vallacchi et al., Antioxid Redox Signal. 2005 Jan-Feb; 7(1-2):25-31 Anandamide IKKb activity Sancho et al., Mol Pharmacol. 2003 Feb;63(2): 429-38 AS602868 IKKb activity Frelin et al., Oncogene. 2003 Nov6; 22(50): 8187-94 Cobrotoxin IKKb activity and p50 Park et al.,Biochemistry. 2005 DNA binding Jun 14; 44(23): 8326-36 Core protein(Hepatitis C) IKKb activity Joo et al., J Virol. 2005 Jun; 79(12):7648-57; Shrivastava et al., J Virol. 1998 Dec; 72(12): 9722-8Dihydroxyphenylethanol IKKb activity Guichard et al., Carcinogenesis.2006 Sep; 27(9): 1812-27. Epub 2006 Mar 7 Herbimycin A IKKb activityIwasaki et al., FEBS Lett. 1992 Feb 24; 298(2-3): 240-4; Mahon &O'Neill, Biochem Soc Trans. 1995 Feb; 23(1): 111S; Ogino et al., MolPharmacol. 2004 Jun; 65(6): 1344-51 Inhibitor 22 IKKb activity Baxter etal., Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2004 Jun 7; 14(11): 2817-22 IsorhapontigeninIKKb activity Li et al., Free Radic Biol Med. 2005 Jan 15; 38(2): 243-57Manumycin A IKKb activity Bernier et al., J Biol Chem. 2006 Feb 3;281(5): 2551-61. Epub 2005 Nov 30; Frassanito et al., Clin Exp Med. 2005Mar; 4(4): 174-82 MLB120 (small molecule) IKKb activity Nagashima etal., Blood. 2006 Jun 1; 107(11): 4266-73. Epub 2006 Jan 26 NovelInhibitor IKKb activity Kamon et al., Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2004Oct 8; 323(1): 242-8 vIRF3 (KSHV) IKKb activity Seo et al., Oncogene.2004 Aug 12; 23(36): 6146-55 Nitric oxide IKKb activity/IkB Katsuyama etal., Arterioscler phosphorylation Thromb Vasc Biol. 1998 Nov; 18(11):1796-802; Matthews et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 1996 Jun 15; 24(12):2236-42; Spieker & Liao, Methods Enzymol. 1999; 300: 374-88; Reynaert etal., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2004 Jun 15; 101(24): 8945-50. Epub 2004Jun 7 SC-514 (small molecule) IKKb activity Kishore et al., J Biol Chem.2003 Aug 29; 278(35): 32861-71. Epub 2003 Jun 17 Thienopyridine IKKbactivity Morwick et al., J Med Chem. 2006 May 18; 49(10): 2898-908Acetyl-boswellic acids IKK activity Syrovets et al., J Biol Chem. 2005Feb 18; 280(7): 6170-80. Epub 2004 Dec 2; Syrovets et al., J Immunol.2005 Jan 1; 174(1): 498-506 Amino-pyrimidine derivative IKK activityKarin et al., Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2004 Jan; 3(1): 17-26 Benzoimidazolederivative IKK activity Karin et al., Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2004 Jan;3(1): 17-26 BMS-345541 IKK activity Burke et al., J Biol Chem. 2003 Jan17; 278(3): 1450-6. Epub 2002 Oct 25. Beta-carboline IKK activity Yoonet al., J Toxicol Environ Health A. 2005 Dec 10; 68(23-24): 2005-17CYL-19s and CYL-26z, two IKK activity Huang et al., Carcinogenesis.synthetic alpha-methylene- 2004 Oct; 25(10): 1925-34. Epubgamma-butyrolactone 2004 Jun 24 derivatives ACHP (2-amino-6-[2- IKKbactivity (ATP analog) Sanda et al., Leukemia. 2006(cyclopropylmethoxy)-6- Apr; 20(4): 590-8 hydroxyphenyl]-4-piperidin-4-yl nicotinonitrile Compound A IKKb activity (ATP analog) Ziegelbaueret al., Br J Pharmacol. 2005 May; 145(2): 178-92 Flavopiridol IKKactivity and RelA Takada & Aggarwal, J Biol phosphor. Chem. 2004 Feb 6;279(6): 4750-9. Epub 2003 Nov 20 Cyclopentones IKKb activity Bickley etal., Bioorg Med Chem. 2004 Jun 15; 12(12): 3221-7 Dehydroascorbic acidIKKb activity Carcamo et al., Mol Cell Biol. (Vitamin C) 2004 Aug;24(15): 6645-52 IMD-0354 IKKb activity Tanaka et al., Blood. 2005 Mar15; 105(6): 2324-31. Epub 2004 Nov 23, Tanaka et al., Cancer Res. 2006Jan 1; 66(1): 419-26; Inayama et al., Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2006May 1; 173(9): 1016-22. Epub 2006 Feb 2 Jesterone dimer IKKb activity;DNA Liang et al., Mol Pharmacol. 2003 binding Jul; 64(1): 123-31; Lianget al., 2006 PS-1145 (MLN1145) IKKb activity Hideshima et al., J BiolChem. 2002 May 10; 277(19): 16639-47. Epub 2002 Feb 282-[(aminocarbonyl)amino]- IKKb activity Bonafoux et al., Bioorg Med5-acetylenyl-3- Chem Lett. 2005 Jun thiophenecarboxamides 2; 15(11):2870-5; (TPCA-1) Podolin et al., 2005 1′-Acetoxychavicol acetate IKKactivity Ichikawa et al., J Immunol. 2005 (Languas galanga) Jun 1;174(11): 7383-92; Ito et al., Cancer Res. 2005 May 15; 65(10): 4417-24Apigenin (plant flavinoid) IKK activity Shukla & Gupta, Clin Cancer Res.2004 May 1; 10(9): 3169-78; Yoon et al., Mol Pharmacol. 2006 Sep; 70(3):1033-44. Epub 2006 Jun 16 Cardamomin IKK activity Lee et al., JPharmacol Exp Ther. 2006 Jan; 316(1): 271-8. Epub 2005 Sep 23 CDDO-Me(synthetic IKK activity Shishodia et al., Clin Cancer Res. triterpenoid)2006 Mar 15; 12(6): 1828-38 CHS 828 (anticancer drug) IKK activity Olsenet al., Int J Cancer. 2004 Aug 20; 111(2): 198-205 CML-1 IKK activity Moet al., J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Jul 11; [Epub ahead of print] Compound 5(Uredio- IKK activity Roshak et al., Curr Opin thiophenecarboxamidePharmacol. 2002 Jun; 2(3): 316-21 derivative) Diaylpyridine derivativeIKK activity Murata et al., Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2003 Mar 10; 13(5):913-8 Diosgenin IKK activity Shishodia & Aggarwal, Oncogene. 2006 Mar 9;25(10): 1463-73; Liagre et al., Int J Mol Med. 2005 Dec; 16(6): 1095-101E3-14.7K (Adenovirus) IKK activity Li et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA.1999 Feb 2; 96(3): 1042-7 E3-10.4K/14.5K IKK activity Friedman &Horwitz, J Virol. (Adenovirus) 2002 Jun; 76(11): 5515-21 E7 (humanpapillomavirus) IKK activity Spitkovsky et al., J Biol Chem. 2002 Jul12; 277(28): 25576-82. Epub 2002 May 1 Furonaphthoquinone IKK activityShin et al., Int Immunopharmacol. 2006 Jun; 6(6): 916-23. Epub 2006 Feb3 Guggulsterone IKK activity Ichikawa & Aggarwal, Clin Cancer Res. 2006Jan 15; 12(2): 662-8 HB-EGF (Heparin-binding IKK activity Mehta &Besner, J Immunol. epidermal growth factor-like 2003 Dec 1; 171(11):6014-22 growth factor) Falcarindol IKK activity Shiao et al., Br JPharmacol. 2005 Jan; 144(1): 42-51 Hepatocyte growth factor IKK activityMin et al., Circ Res. 2005 Feb 18; 96(3): 300-7. Epub 2005 Jan 6; Gonget al., J Am Soc Nephrol. 2006 Sep; 17(9): 2464-73. Epub 2006 Aug 2Honokiol IKK activity Tse et al., Biochem Pharmacol. 2005 Nov 15;70(10): 1443-57. Epub 2005 Sep 21 Hypoestoxide IKK activity Ojo-Amaizeet al., Cell Immunol. 2001 May 1; 209(2): 149-57 Indolecarboxamide IKKactivity Karin et al., Nat Rev Drug derivative Discov. 2004 Jan; 3(1):17-26 LF15-0195 (analog of 15- IKK activity Yang et al., J Leukoc Biol.2003 deoxyspergualine) Sep; 74(3): 438-47 gamma-mangostin (from IKKactivity Nakatani et al., Mol Pharmacol. Garcinia mangostana) 2004 Sep;66(3): 667-74 Garcinone B IKK activity Yamakuni et al., Neurosci Lett.2006 Feb 20; 394(3): 206-10. Epub 2005 Nov 2(Amino)imidazolylcarboxaldehyde IKK activity Karin et al., Nat Rev Drugderivative Discov. 2004 Jan; 3(1): 17-26. Imidazolylquinoline- IKKactivity Karin et al., Nat Rev Drug carboxaldehyde derivative Discov.2004 Jan; 3(1): 17-26 Kahweol IKK activity Kim et al., Cancer Left. 2004Sep 30; 213(2): 147-54 Kava (Piper methysticum) IKK activity Folmer etal., Biochem derivatives Pharmacol. 2006 Apr 14; 71(8): 1206-18. Epub2006 Feb 7 Lead IKK activity Xu et al., Cell Biol Toxicol. 2006 May;22(3): 189-98 Mild hypothermia IKK activity Han et al., J Cereb BloodFlow Metab. 2003 May; 23(5): 589-98 ML120B IKK activity Catley et al.,Mol Pharmacol. 2006 Aug; 70(2): 697-705. Epub 2006 May 10 MX781(retinoid antagonist) IKK activity Bayon et al., Mol Cell Biol. 2003Feb; 23(3): 1061-74 N-acetylcysteine IKK activity Oka et al., FEBS Lett.2000 Apr 28; 472(2-3): 196-202 Nitrosylcobalamin (vitamin IKK activityChawla-Sarkar et al., J Biol B12 analog) Chem. 2003 Oct 10; 278(41):39461-9. Epub 2003 Jul 24 NSAIDs IKK activity Takada et al., Oncogene.2004 Dec 9; 23(57): 9247-58 Hepatits C virus NS5B IKK activity Choi etal., Mol Cell Biol. 2006 Apr; 26(8): 3048-59 PAN1 (aka NALP2 or IKKactivity Bruey et al., J Biol Chem. 2004 PYPAF2) Dec 10; 279(50):51897-907. Epub 2004 Sep 28 Pectin (citrus) IKK activity Chen et al.,Biochem Pharmacol. 2006 Oct 16; 72(8): 1001-9. Epub 2006 Aug 22Pyrazolo[4,3-c]quinoline IKK activity Karin et al., Nat Rev Drugderivative Discov. 2004 Jan; 3(1): 17-26 Pyridooxazinone derivative IKKactivity Karin et al., Nat Rev Drug Discov. 2004 Jan; 3(1): 17-26N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) IKK activity Shishodia et al., Cancer Res. 2005retinamide Oct 15; 65(20): 9555-65 Scytonemin IKK activity Stevenson etal., Inflamm Res. 2002 Feb; 51(2): 112-4 Semecarpus anacardiu IKKactivity Singh et al., J Ethnopharmacol. extract 2006 Jun 2; [Epub aheadof print] SPC-839 IKK activity Palanki et al., 2002 Sulforaphane and IKKactivity Xu et al., Oncogene. 2005 Jun phenylisothiocyanate 30; 24(28):4486-95 Survanta (Surfactant IKK activity Raychaudhuri et al., Am JRespir product) Cell Mol Biol. 2004 Feb; 30(2): 228-32. Epub 2003 Aug 14Piceatannol IKK activity Islam et al., Microbiol Immunol. 2004; 48(10):729-36 Plumbagin (5-hydroxy-2- IKK activity Sandur et al., J Biol Chem.2006 methyl-1,4-naphthoquinone) Jun 23; 281(25): 17023-33. Epub 2006 Apr19 IKKb peptide to NEMO IKK-NEMO interaction May et al., Science. 2000Sep binding domain 1; 289(5484): 1550-4 NEMO CC2-LZ peptide NEMOoligomerization Agou et al., 2004 AGRO100 (G-quadraplex NEMO bindingGirvan et al., Mol Cancer Ther. oligodeoxynucleotide) 2006 Jul; 5(7):1790-9 PTEN (tumor suppressor) Activation of IKK Gustin et al., J BiolChem. 2001 Jul 20; 276(29): 27740-4. Epub 2001 May 16 Theaflavin (blacktea Activation of IKK Aneja et al., Crit Care Med. 2004 component) Oct;32(10): 2097-103; Ukil et al., Br J Pharmacol. 2006 Sep; 149(1): 121-31.Epub 2006 Jul 31 Tilianin Activation of IKK Nam et al., Atherosclerosis.2005 May; 180(1): 27-35. Epub 2005 Jan 19 Withanolides Activation of IKKIchikawa et al., Mol Cancer Ther. 2006 Jun; 5(6): 1434-45 ZerumboneActivation of IKK Takada et al., Oncogene. 2005 Oct 20; 24(46): 6957-69Silibinin IKKα activity; nuclear Dhanalakshmi et al., Oncogene.translocation 2002 Mar 7; 21(11): 1759-67; Singh et al., Oncogene. 2005Feb 10; 24(7): 1188-202 Sulfasalazine IKKa and IKKb kinase Wahl et al.,J Clin Invest. 1998 activity Mar 1; 101(5): 1163-74: Weber et al.,Gastroenterology. 2000 Nov; 119(5): 1209-18 Sulfasalazine analogs IKKkinase activity Habens et al., Apoptosis. 2005 May; 10(3): 481-91Quercetin IKK activity Peet & Li, J Biol Chem. 1999 Nov 12; 274(46):32655-61 Rosmarinic acid IKK activity Lee et al., Br J Pharmacol. 2006Jun; 148(3): 366-75 Staurosporine IKK activity Peet & Li, J Biol Chem.1999 Nov 12; 274(46): 32655-61 gamma-Tocotrienol IKK activity Shah &Sylvester, Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2005 Apr; 230(4): 235-41Wedelolactone IKK activity Kobori et al., Cell Death Differ. 2004 Jan;11(1): 123-30 Betulinic acid IKKa activity and p65 Takada & Aggarwal, JImmunol. phosphorylation 2003 Sep 15; 171 (6): 3278-86 Ursolic acid IKKaactivity and p65 Shishodia et al., Cancer Res. 2003 phosphorylation Aug1; 63(15): 4375-83 Thalidomide (and IKK activity Keifer et al., J BiolChem. 2001 thalidomide analogs) Jun 22; 276(25): 22382-7. Epub 2001 Apr10; Ge et al., Blood. 2006 Aug 29; [Epub ahead of print] Interleukin-10Reduced IKKa and IKKb Tabary et al., Am J Pathol. 2003 expression Jan;162(1): 293-302 MC160 (molluscum Reduced IKKa expression Nichols &Shisler, J Virol. 2006 contagiosum virus) Jan; 80(2): 578-86Monochloramine and Oxidizes IkB Kim et al., Biochim Biophys glycinechloramine (NH2Cl) Acta. 2005 Dec 15; 1746(2): 135-42. Epub 2005 Oct 28;Midwinter et al., Biochem J. 2006 May 15; 396(1): 71-8 AnetholePhosphorylation Chainy et al., Oncogene. 2000 Jun 8; 19(25): 2943-50Anti-thrombin III Phosphorylation Oelschlager et al., Blood. 2002 Jun 1;99(11): 4015-20 Artemisia vestita Phosphorylation Sun et al., Int J MolMed. 2006 May; 17(5): 957-62 Aspirin, sodium salicylate Phosphorylation,IKKbeta Frantz & O'Neill, Science. 1995 Dec 22; 270(5244): 2017-9; Kopp& Ghosh, Science. 1994 Aug 12; 265(5174): 956-9; Yin et al., Nature.1998 Nov 5; 396(6706): 77-80 Azidothymidine (AZT) Phosphorylation Ghoshet al., Blood. 2003 Mar 15; 101(6): 2321-7. Epub 2002 Oct 24.; Kurokawaet al., Blood. 2005 Jul 1; 106(1): 235-40. Epub 2005 Mar 24 BaoganningPhosphorylation Tan et al., Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2005Sep; 25(9): 804-7 BAY-11-7082 Phosphorylation Pierce et al., J BiolChem. 1997 (E3((4-methylphenyl)- Aug 22; 272(34): 21096-103.sulfonyl)-2-propenenitrile) BAY-117083 Phosphorylation Pierce et al., JBiol Chem. 1997 (E3((4-t-butylphenyl)- Aug 22; 272(34): 21096-103sulfonyl)-2-propenenitrile) Benzyl isothiocyanate PhosphorylationSrivastava & Singh, Carcinogenesis. 2004 Sep; 25(9): 1701-9. Epub 2004Apr 29 Black raspberry extracts Phosphorylation Huang et al., CancerRes. 2002 (cyanidin 3-O-glucoside, Dec 1; 62(23): 6857-63.; cyanidin3-O-(2(G)- Hecht et al., Carcinogenesis. 2006 xylosylrutinoside),cyanidin Aug; 27(8): 1617-26. Epub 2006 3-O-rutinoside) Mar 7Buddlejasaponin IV Phosphorylation Won et al., Br J Pharmacol. 2006 May;148(2): 216-25 Cacospongionolide B Phosphorylation Posadas et al., Br JPharmacol. 2003 Apr; 138(8): 1571-9 Calagualine Phosphorylation Manna etal., Cancer Lett. 2003 Feb 20; 190(2): 171-82 Carbon monoxidePhosphorylation Sarady et al., Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2002 Dec;27(6): 739-45 Carboplatin Phosphorylation Singh & Bhat, Biochem BiophysRes Commun. 2004 May 28; 318(2): 346-53 Cardamonin Phosphorylation Israfet al., Mol Immunol. 2007 Feb; 44(5): 673-9. Epub 2006 Jun 13 Chorionicgonadotropin Phosphorylation Manna et al., J Biol Chem. 2000 May 5;275(18): 13307-14 Cordycepin Phosphorylation Kim et al., Eur JPharmacol. 2006 Sep 18; 545(2-3): 192-9. Epub 2006 Jun 28 Cycloepoxydon;1-hydroxy- Phosphorylation Gehrt et al., J Antibiot (Tokyo).2-hydroxymethyl-3-pent-1- 1998 May; 51(5): 455-63 enylbenzeneCytomegalovirus Phosphorylation Jarvis et al., 2006 DecursinPhosphorylation Kim et al., Mol Pharmacol. 2006 Jun; 69(6): 1783-90.Epub 2006 Mar 1 Dexanabinol Phosphorylation Juttler et al.,Neuropharmacology. 2004 Sep; 47(4): 580-92 Digitoxin PhosphorylationSrivastava et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2004 May 18; 101(20): 7693-8.Epub 2004 May 10 Diterpenes (synthetic) Phosphorylation Chao et al.,Chembiochem. 2005 Jan; 6(1): 133-44 Docosahexaenoic acid PhosphorylationChen et al., Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2005 Nov; 46(11): 4342-7Entamoeba histolytica Phosphorylation Kammanadiminti & Chadee, J BiolChem. 2006 Sep 8; 281(36): 26112-20. Epub 2006 Jul 13 Extensivelyoxidized low Phosphorylation Brand et al., Arterioscler Thromb densitylipoprotein (ox- Vasc Biol. 1997 Oct; 17(10): 1901-9; LDL),4-Hydroxynonenal Page et al., J Biol Chem. 1999 (HNE) Apr 23; 274(17):11611-8 FHIT (Fragile histidine triad Phosphorylation Nakagawa & Akao,Exp Cell Res. protein) 2006 Aug 1; 312(13): 2433-42. Epub 2006 Apr 25Gabexate mesilate Phosphorylation Uchiba et al., Crit Care Med. 2003Apr; 31(4): 1147-53 [6]-gingerol; casparol Phosphorylation Kim et al.,Oncogene. 2005 Apr 7; 24(15): 2558-67.; Aktan et al., Planta Med. 2006Jun; 72(8): 727-34. Epub 2006 May 29 Gleevec (Imatanib) PhosphorylationWolf et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 2005 Sep 20; 102(38): 13622-7. Epub2005 Sep 8 Glossogyne tenuifolia Phosphorylation Wu et al., J BiomedSci. 2004 Mar-Apr; 11(2): 186-99; Ha et al., J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Aug11; 107(1): 116-25. Epub 2006 Apr 3 Guggulsterone PhosphorylationShishodia & Aggarwal, J Biol Chem. 2004 Nov 5; 279(45): 47148-58. Epub2004 Aug 17 Hydroquinone Phosphorylation Kerzic et al., Toxicology. 2003May 3; 187(2-3): 127-37 Ibuprofen Phosphorylation Palayoor et al.,Oncogene. 1999 Dec 2; 18(51): 7389-94 Indirubin-3′-oxime PhosphorylationMak et al., Biochem Pharmacol. 2004 Jan 1; 67(1): 167-74Interferon-alpha Phosphorylation Manna et al., J Immunol. 2000 Nov 1;165(9): 4927-34 Inhaled isobutyl nitrite Phosphorylation Ponnappan etal., Int Immunopharmacol. 2004 Aug; 4(8): 1075-82 Licorce extractsPhosphorylation Kim et al., Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2006 Jul 7;345(3): 1215-23. Epub 2006 May 15 Melatonin Phosphorylation Alonso etal., J Pineal Res. 2006 Aug; 41(1): 8-14 Methotrexate PhosphorylationMajumdar & Aggarwal, J Immunol. 2001 Sep 1; 167(5): 2911-20; Yozai etal., J Am Soc Nephrol. 2005 Nov; 16(11): 3326-38. Epub 2005 Sep 21Monochloramine Phosphorylation Omori et al., Free Radic Res. 2002 Aug;36(8): 845-52 Nafamostat mesilate Phosphorylation Noguchi et al., IntImmunopharmacol. 2003 Sep; 3(9): 1335-44 Oleandrin Phosphorylation Mannaet al., Cancer Res. 2000 Jul 15; 60(14): 3838-47; Sreeivasan et al.,Biochem Pharmacol. 2003 Dec 1; 66(11): 2223-39 Omega 3 fatty acidsPhosphorylation Novak et al., Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2003Jan; 284(1): L84-9. Epub 2002 Aug 30 Panduratin A (from PhosphorylationYun et al., Planta Med. 2003 Kaempferia pandurata, Dec; 69(12): 1102-8Zingiberaceae) Petrosaspongiolide M Phosphorylation Posadas et al.,Biochem Pharmacol. 2003 Mar 1; 65(5): 887-95 Pinosylvin PhosphorylationLee et al., Planta Med. 2006 Jul; 72(9): 801-6. 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Saline (low Na+ istonic) Phosphorylation Tabary et al., BiochemBiophys Res Commun. 2003 Sep 19; 309(2): 310-6 Salvia miltiorrhizaewater- Phosphorylation Kim et al., Clin Exp Immunol. soluble extract2005 Aug; 141(2): 288-97. Sanguinarine Phosphorylation Chaturvedi etal., J Biol Chem. (pseudochelerythrine, 13- 1997 Nov 28; 272(48):30129-34 methyl-[1,3]-benzodioxolo- [5,6-c]-1,3-dioxolo-4,5phenanthridinium) Scoparone Phosphorylation Jang et al., Life Sci. 2006May 15; 78(25): 2937-43. Epub 2005 Dec 22 Sesaminol glucosidesPhosphorylation Lee et al., Neurosci Res. 2006 Oct; 56(2): 204-12. 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YC-1 PhosphorylationHuang et al., Mol Cancer Ther. 2005 Oct; 4(10): 1628-35 YopJ (encoded byYersinia Deubiquintinase for IkBa Schesser et al., Mol Microbiol.pseudotuberculosis) 1998 Jun; 28(6): 1067-79; Zhou et al., J Exp Med.2005 Nov 21; 202(10): 1327-32 Acetaminophen Degradation Mancini et al.,Neurosci Lett. 2003 Dec 19; 353(2): 79-82 Activated Protein C (APC)Degradation Yuksel et al., Thromb Haemost. 2002 Aug; 88(2): 267-73Alachlor Degradation Shimomura-Shimizu et al., Biochem Biophys ResCommun. 2005 Jul 8; 332(3): 793-9 a-melanocyte-stimulating DegradationManna & Aggarwal, J Immunol. hormone (a-MSH) 1998 Sep 15; 161(6):2873-80 Amentoflavone Degradation Banerjee et al., Mol Cell Biochem.2002 Sep; 238(1-2): 105-10 Artemisia capillaris Thunb Degradation Honget al., Int J Mol Med. 2004 extract May; 13(5): 717-20 Artemisiaiwayomogi extract Degradation Kim et al., Exp Biol Med (Maywood). 2005Jan; 230(1): 82-8 L-ascorbic acid Degradation Han et al., J CellBiochem. 2004 Oct 1; 93(2): 257-70 Antrodia camphorata Degradation Hseuet al., Int Immunopharmacol. 2005 Dec; 5(13-14): 1914-25. Epub 2005 Jul18 Aucubin Degradation Jeong et al., Cytokine. 2002 Jun 7; 18(5): 252-9.Baicalein Degradation Ma et al., Blood. 2005 Apr 15; 105(8): 3312-8.Epub 2004 Dec 30 beta-lapachone Degradation Manna et al., BiochemPharmacol. 1999 Apr 1; 57(7): 763-74 Blackberry extract DegradationPergola et al., Nitric Oxide. 2006 Aug; 15(1): 30-9. Epub 2006 Mar 61-Bromopropane Degradation Yoshida et al., Neurotoxicology. 2006 Jun 2;[Epub ahead of print] Buchang-tang Degradation Shin et al., JEthnopharmacol. 2005 Oct 31; 102(1): 95-101 Capsaicin (8-methyl-N-Degradation Singh. et al., J Immunol. 1996 vanillyl-6-nonenamide) Nov15; 157(10): 4412-20; Mori et al., Cancer Res. 2006 Mar 15; 66(6):3222-9 Catalposide Degradation Kim et al., Inflamm Bowel Dis. 2004 Sep;10(5): 564-72 Cyclolinteinone (sponge Degradation D'Acquisto et al.,Biochem J. sesterterpene) 2000 Mar 15; 346 Pt 3: 793-8 DA-9601(Artemisia asiatica Degradation Choi et al., World J Gastroenterol.extract) 2006 Aug 14; 12(30): 4850-8 Diamide (tyrosine DegradationToledano & Leonard, Proc Natl phosphatase inhibitor) Acad Sci USA. 1991May 15; 88(10): 4328-32; Singh & Aggarwal, J Biol Chem. 1995 May 5;270(18): 10631-9. Dihydroarteanniun Degradation Li et al., IntImmunopharmacol. 2006 Aug; 6(8): 1243-50. Epub 2006 Apr 7 DobutamineDegradation Loop et al., Anesth Analg. 2004 Nov; 99(5): 1508-15; tableof contents. Docosahexaenoic acid Degradation Weldon et al., J NutrBiochem. 2006 Jun 15; [Epub ahead of print] E-73 (cycloheximide analog)Degradation Sugimoto et al., Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2000 Oct 22;277(2): 330-3 Ecabet sodium Degradation Kim et al., Helicobacter. 2003;8(5): 542-53 Electrical stimulation of Degradation Guarini et al.,Circulation. 2003 vagus nerve Mar 4; 107(8): 1189-94 Emodin(3-methyl-1,6,8- Degradation Kumar et al., Oncogene. 1998trihydroxyanthraquinone) Aug 20; 17(7): 913-8; Huang et al., BiochemPharmacol. 2004 Jul 15; 68(2): 361-71 Ephedrae herba (Mao) DegradationAoki et al., J Pharmacol Sci. 2005 Jul; 98(3): 327-30. Epub 2005 Jul 9Equol Degradation Kang et al., Biochem Pharmacol. 2005 Dec 19; 71(1-2):136-43. Epub 2005 Nov 10 Erbstatin (tyrosine kinase DegradationNatarajan et al., Arch Biochem inhibitor) Biophys. 1998 Apr 1; 352(1):59-70 Estrogen (E2) Degradation/and various Sun et al., Biochem BiophysRes other steps Commun. 1998 Mar 27; 244(3): 691-5; Kalaitzidis &Gilmore, Trends Endocrinol Metab. 2005 Mar; 16(2): 46-52; Steffan etal., Curr Top Med Chem. 2006; 6(2): 103-11. Ethacrynic acid Degradation(and DNA Han et al., 2004 binding) Fosfomycin Degradation Yoneshima etal., Int J Antimicrob Agents. 2003 Jun; 21(6): 589-92 Fungal gliotoxinDegradation Pahl et al., Oncogene. 1999 Nov 22; 18(49): 6853-66 Gabexatemesilate Degradation Yuksel et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2003 Apr;305(1): 298-305 Gamisanghyulyunbueum Degradation Shin et al., Biol PharmBull. 2005 Jul; 28(7): 1177-82 Genistein (tyrosine kinase Degradation;caspase Natarajan et al., Arch Biochem inhibitor) cleavage of IkBaBiophys. 1998 Apr 1; 352(1): 59-70; Baxa & Yoshimura, Biochem Pharmacol.2003 Sep 15; 66(6): 1009-18. Genipin Degradation Koo et al., Eur JPharmacol. 2004 Jul 14; 495(2-3): 201-8 Glabridin Degradation Kang etal., J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2005 Mar; 312(3): 1187-94. Epub 2004 Nov 10Glimepiride Degradation Schiekofer et al., Diabetes Obes Metab. 2003Jul; 5(4): 251-61 Glucosamine sulfate Degradation Largo et al.,Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2003 Apr; 11(4): 290-8 gamma-glutamylcysteineDegradation Manna et al., Oncogene. 1999 Jul synthetase 29; 18(30):4371-82. Glutamine Degradation Singleton et al., Shock. 2005 Dec; 24(6):583-9 Gumiganghwaltang Degradation Kim et al., Biol Pharm Bull. 2005Feb; 28(2): 233-7 Heat shock protein-70 Degradation Chan et al.,Circulation. 2004 Dec 7; 110(23): 3560-6. Epub 2004 Nov 22.; Shi et al.,Shock. 2006 Sep; 26(3): 277-84 Hypochlorite Degradation Mohri et al.,Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2002 Oct; 43(10): 3190-5. IL-13 DegradationManna & Aggarwal, J Immunol. 1998 Sep 15; 161(6): 2863-72 Intravenousimmunoglobulin Degradation Ichiyama et al., Inflamm Res. 2004 Jun;53(6): 253-6. Epub 2004 May 12 Isomallotochromanol and Degradation Ishiiet al., Biochim Biophys isomallotochromene Acta. 2003 Mar 17; 1620(1-3):108-18 K1L (Vaccinia virus protein) Degradation Shisler & Jin, J Virol.2004 Apr; 78(7): 3553-60 Kochia scoparia fruit Degradation Shin et al.,Biol Pharm Bull. 2004 (methanol extract) Apr; 27(4): 538-43 Leflunomidemetabolite Degradation Manna & Aggarwal, J Immunol. (A77 1726) 1999 Feb15; 162(4): 2095-102 Losartin Degradation Chen et al., 2002 Low levellaser therapy Degradation Rizzi et al., Lasers Surg Med. 2006 Aug;38(7): 704-13 LY294002 (PI3-kinase Degradation Park et al., Cell BiolToxicol. inhibitor) [2-(4- 2002; 18(2): 121-30. morpholinyl)-8-phenylchromone] MC159 (Molluscum Degradation of IkBb Murao & Shisler,2005 contagiosum virus) Melatonin Degradation Zhang et al., Eur JPharmacol. 2004 Oct 6; 501(1-3): 25-30 5′-methylthioadenosineDegradation Hevia et al., Hepatology. 2004 Apr; 39(4): 1088-98.Midazolam Degradation Kim et al., Anesthesiology. 2006 Jul; 105(1):105-10 Momordin I Degradation Hwang et al., Biochem Biophys Res Commun.2005 Nov 25; 337(3): 815-23. Epub 2005 Sep 28. Morinda officinalisextract Degradation Kim et al., J Pharm Pharmacol. 2005 May; 57(5):607-15 Mosla dianthera extract Degradation Lee et al., Toxicol ApplPharmacol. 2006 Jun 22; [Epub ahead of print] Murr1 gene productDegradation Ganesh et al., Nature. 2003 Dec 18; 426(6968): 853-7.Neurofibromatosis-2 (NF-2; Degradation Kim et al., Biochem Biophys Resmerlin) protein Commun. 2002 Sep 6; 296(5): 1295-302 Opuntia ficusindica va Degradation Lee et al., 2006 saboten extract PenetratinDegradation Letoya et al., Mol Pharmacol. 2006 Jun; 69(6): 2027-36. Epub2006 Feb 27. 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Pituitary adenylate cyclase- Degradation Delgado &Ganea, J Biol Chem. activating polypeptide 2001 Jan 5; 276(1): 369-80(PACAP) Prostaglandin 15-deoxy- Degradation Cuzzocrea et al., Br JPharmacol. Delta(12,14)-PGJ(2) 2003 Feb; 138(4): 678-88; Chatterjee etal., Cardiovasc Res. 2004 Feb 15; 61(3): 630-43 PS-341Degradation/proteasome Hideshima et al., J Biol Chem. 2002 May 10;277(19): 16639-47. Epub 2002 Feb 28 Resiniferatoxin Degradation Singh etal., J Immunol. 1996 Nov 15; 157(10): 4412-20 Sabaeksan Degradation Choiet al., Exp Mol Pathol. 2005 Jun; 78(3): 257-62. Epub 2005 Feb 17 SAIF(Saccharomyces Degradation Sougioultzis et al., Biochem boulardiianti-inflammatory Biophys Res Commun. 2006 Apr factor) 28; 343(1):69-76. Epub 2006 Feb 23. 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Epub2006 Jul 18 Molluscum contagiosum IkBbeta degradation Murao & Shisler,Virology. 2005 virus MC159 protein Sep 30; 340(2): 255-64 Vasoactiveintestinal peptide Degradation (and CBP- Delgado & Ganea, J Biol Chem.RelA interaction) 2001 Jan 5; 276(1): 369-80; Delgado, Biochem BiophysRes Commun. 2002 Oct 11; 297(5): 1181-5 HIV-1 Vpu protein TrCP ubiquitinligase Bour et al., J Biol Chem. 2001 inhibitor May 11; 276(19):15920-8. Epub 2001 Feb 16 Epoxyquinone A monomer IKKb/DNA binding Lianget al., Biochem Pharmacol. 2006 Feb 28; 71(5): 634-45. Epub 2005 Dec 19Ro106-9920 (small IkBa ubiqutination inhibitor Swinney et al., J BiolChem. 2002 molecule) Jun 28; 277(26): 23573-81. Epub 2002 Apr 11

TABLE 3 MISCELLANEOUS INHIBITORS OF NF-κB Effect or point of InhibitorMolecule inhibition References Conophylline (Ervatamia Down regulatedTNF- Gohda et al., 2003 Int J Oncol. microphylla) Receptors 23(5):1373-9 MOL 294 (small molecule) Redox regulated activation Henderson etal., J Immunol. of NF-κB 2002 Nov 1; 169(9): 5294-9 PEDF (pigmentepithelium ROS generation Yamagishi et al., J Mol Cell derived factor)Cardiol. 2004 Aug; 37(2): 497-506. Perrilyl alcohol Calcium pathwayBerchtold et al., Cancer Res. 2005 Sep 15; 65(18): 8558-66. MAST205TRAF6 binding Xiong et al., J Biol Chem. 2004 Oct 15; 279(42): 43675-83.Epub 2004 Aug 11. Rhein MEKK activation of NF-κB Martin et al.,Inflammation. 2003 Aug; 27(4): 233-46; Domagala et al., Biorheology.2006; 43(3-4): 577-87. 15-deoxy-prostaglandin J(2) PPARg activation ofNF- Boyault et al., FEBS Lett. 2004 κB Aug 13; 572(1-3): 33-40. Antrodiacamphorata extract IkBa upregulation Hsu et al., Cancer Lett. 2005 Apr18; 221(1): 77-89. apigenin (4′,5,7- IkBa upregulation Shukla & Gupta,Clin Cancer Res. trihydroxyflavone) 2004 May 1; 10(9): 3169-78.beta-amyloid protein IkBa upregulation Bales et al., Brain Res Mol BrainRes. 1998 Jun 1; 57(1): 63-72 human breast milk IkBa upregulationMinekawa et al., Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2004 Nov; 287(5): C1404-11.Epub 2004 Jun 30 Surfactant protein A (SP-A) IkBa upregulation Wu etal., Am J Respir Cell Mol Biol. 2004 Dec; 31(6): 587-94. Epub 2004 Aug12 DQ 65-79 (aa 65-79 of the IkBa upregulation and IKK Jiang et al., JImmunol. 2002 Apr alpha helix of the alpha- inhibition 1; 168(7):3323-8. chain of the class II HLA molecule DQA03011) C5a IkBaupregulation Riedemann et al., Immunity. 2003 Aug; 19(2): 193-202.Glucocorticoids IkBa upregulation Auphan et al., Science. 1995 Oct(dexamethasone, prednisone, 13; 270(5234): 286-90; methylprednisolone)Brostjan et al., J Biol Chem. 1996 Aug 9; 271(32): 19612-6; Ray &Prefontaine, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. 1994 Jan 18; 91(2): 752-6;Scheinman et al., Mol Cell Biol. 1995 Feb; 15(2): 943-53. IL-10 IkBaupregulation Ehrlich et al., Neuroreport. 1998 Jun 1; 9(8): 1723-6;Lentsch et al., J Clin Invest. 1997 Nov 15; 100(10): 2443-8; Shames etal., Shock. 1998 Dec; 10(6): 389-94 IL-13 IkBa upregulation Ehrlich etal., Neuroreport. 1998 Jun 1; 9(8): 1723-6; Lentsch et al., J ClinInvest. 1997 Nov 15; 100(10): 2443-8; Manna & Aggarwal, J Immunol. 1998Sep 15; 161(6): 2863-72. IL-11 IKKa; IkBa, IkBb Trepicchio & Dorner, AnnN Y upregulation Acad Sci. 1998 Sep 29; 856: 12-21; Lgssiar et al., ExpBiol Med (Maywood). 2004 May; 229(5): 425-36. alpha-pinene IkBaupregulation Zhou et al., Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2004 Apr; 25(4): 480-4.NEF (HIV-1) IkBa upregulation Qiao et al., Nat Immunol. 2006 Mar; 7(3):302-10. Epub 2006 Jan 22. R-etodolac IkBa upregulation Neri et al., Br JHaematol. 2006 Jul; 134(1): 37-44. Vitamin D IkBa upregulationCohen-Lahav et al., Nephrol Dial Transplant. 2006 Apr; 21(4): 889-97.Epub 2006 Feb 2. Fox1j IkBb upregulation Lin et al., 2004 Dioxin RelAnuclear transport Ruby et al., Mol Pharmacol. 2002 Sep; 62(3): 722-8Agastache rugosa leaf Nuclear translocation Oh et al., Arch Pharm Res.2005 extract Mar; 28(3): 305-10. Alginic acid Nuclear translocationJeong et al., Clin Exp Allergy. 2006 Jun; 36(6): 785-94. AstragalosideIV Nuclear translocation Zhang et al., Thromb Haemost. 2003 Nov; 90(5):904-14. Atorvastatin Nuclear translocation Haloui et al., Eur JPharmacol. 2003 Aug 8; 474(2-3): 175-84. Blue honeysuckle extractNuclear translocation Jin et al., Exp Eye Res. 2006 May; 82(5): 860-7.Epub 2005 Nov 23. BMD (N(1)-Benzyl-4- Nuclear translocation Shin et al.,Eur J Pharmacol. methylbenzene-1,2-diamine) 2005 Oct 3; 521(1-3): 1-8.Epub 2005 Sep 23. Buthus martensi Karsch Nuclear translocation Kim etal., 2005 extract Canine Distemper Virus Nuclear translocation Friess etal., J Comp Pathol. 2005 Jan; 132(1): 82-9. Carbaryl Nucleartranslocation Shimomura-Shimizu et al., Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2005Jul 8; 332(3): 793-9. Celastrol Nuclear translocation Pinna et al.,Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2004 Sep 24; 322(3): 778-86. ChiisanosideRelA Nuclear translocation Won et al., Biol Pharm Bull. 2005 Oct;28(10): 1919-24. CP-1158 Nuclear translocation Kim et al., Eur JPharmacol. 2006 Aug 14; 543(1-3): 158-65. Epub 2006 Jun 2.Dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin Nuclear translocation Chaicharoenpong etal., Bioorg (DHMEQ) Med Chem. 2002 Dec; 10(12): 3933-915-deoxyspergualin Nuclear translocation Hutchings et al., TransplImmunol. 2003 Jul-Sep; 11(3-4): 335-44. Dipyridamole Nucleartranslocation Weyrich et al., Circulation. 2005 Feb 8; 111(5): 633-42.Epub 2005 Jan 24. Disulfiram Nuclear translocation Wang et al., Int JCancer. 2003 Apr 20; 104(4): 504-11. Diltiazem Nuclear translocation;Severa et al., Biochem induced translocation of Pharmacol. 2005 Feb 1;69(3): 425-32. p50 dimers Epub 2004 Dec 9. Eriocalyxin B Nucleartranslocation/DNA Wang et al., Cell Death Differ. binding 2006 Jun 16;[Epub ahead of print]; Leung et al., Mol Pharmacol. 2006 Aug 29; [Epubahead of print] Estrogen enhanced transcript Nuclear translocation Jinet al., Cell Immunol. 2003 May; 223(1): 26-34. FAK-related nonkinaseNuclear translocation Qin & Liu, Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2006 Sep; 27(9):1159-64 Gangliosides Nuclear translocation Caldwell et al., J Immunol.2003 Aug 15; 171(4): 1676-83. Glucorticoid-induced leucine Nucleartranslocation Riccardi et al., Adv Exp Med zipper protein (GILZ) Biol.2001; 495: 31-9. Harpagophytum procumbens Nuclear translocation Kaszkinet al., Phytomedicine. (Devil's Claw) extracts 2004 Nov; 11(7-8):585-95. Heat shock protein 72 Nuclear translocation Meldrum et al., CircRes. 2003 Feb 21; 92(3): 293-9 Hirsutenone Nuclear translocation Kim etal., FEBS Lett. 2006 Jan 23; 580(2): 385-92. Epub 2005 Dec 19Indole-3-carbinol Nuclear translocation Rahman & Sarkar, Cancer Res.2005 Jan 1; 65(1): 364-71 JM34 (benzamide Nuclear translocationCarbonnelle et al., 2005 derivative) JSH-23 (4-Methyl--(3- Nucleartranslocation Shin et al., FEBS Lett. 2004 Julphenyl-propyl)-benzene-1,2- 30; 571(1-3): 50-4 diamine KIOM-79 (combinedplant Nuclear translocation Jeon et al., J Ethnopharmacol. extracts)2006 Apr 28; [Epub ahead of print] KL-1156 (6-Hydroxy-7- Nucleartranslocation Kim et al., Biochem Biophys Res methoxychroman-2- Commun.2004 Dec carboxylic acid 3; 325(1): 223-8. phenylamide) Leptomycin B(LMB) Nuclear translocation Rodriguez et al., J Biol Chem. 1999 Mar 26;274(13): 9108-15. Levamisole Nuclear translocation Liu et al., J SurgRes. 2004 Apr; 117(2): 223-31. MEB (2-(4-morpholynl) Nucleartranslocation Soderberg et al., Int ethyl butyrate hydrochloride)Immunopharmacol. 2004 Sep; 4(9): 1231-9. MNF (IkB-like Myxoma Nucleartranslocation Camus-Bouclainville et al., J virus) Virol. 2004 Mar;78(5): 2510-6. Montelukast Nuclear translocation Wu et al., Can JPhysiol Pharmacol. 2006 May; 84(5): 531-7. NLS Cell permeable Nucleartranslocation Lin et al., J Biol Chem. 1995 Jun peptides (SN50) 16;270(24): 14255-8. 2′,8″-biapigenin RelA nuclear translocation Woo etal., Biol Pharm Bull. 2006 May; 29(5): 976-80. Nucling RelA nucleartranslocation Liu et al., Biochem J. 2004 May 15; 380(Pt 1): 31-41.o,o′-bismyristoyl thiamine Nuclear translocation Shoji et al., BiochemBiophys Res disulfide (BMT) Commun. 1998 Aug 28; 249(3): 745-53.Oregonin RelA nuclear translocation Lee et al., Br J Pharmacol. 2005Oct; 146(3): 378-88 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl- RelA nucleartranslocation Kang et al., Eur J Pharmacol. beta-d-glucose 2005 Nov 7;524(1-3): 111-9. Epub 2005 Oct 25 Platycodi radix extract RelA nucleartranslocation Lee et al., Int J Mol Med. 2004 Jun; 13(6): 843-7Phallacidin Nuclear translocation Papakonstanti & Strounaras, Mol BiolCell. 2004 Mar; 15(3): 1273-86. Epub 2003 Dec 29 Piperine Nucleartranslocation Pradeep & Kuttan, Int Immunopharmacol. 2004 Dec 20; 4(14):1795-803 Pitavastatin Nuclear translocation Wang et al., Biol PharmBull. 2006 Apr; 29(4): 634-9 PN-50 Nuclear translocation Letoha et al.,World J Gastroenterol. 2005 Feb 21; 11(7): 990-9 Probiotics RelA nucleartranslocation Bai et al., World J Gastroenterol. 2004 Feb 1; 10(3):455-7. RelA peptides (P1 and P6) Nuclear translocation Takada et al., JBiol Chem. 2004 Apr 9; 279(15): 15096-104. Epub 2004 Jan 7. Retinoicacid receptor- Nuclear translocation Migita et al., FEBS Lett. 2004 Janrelated orphan receptor- 16; 557(1-3): 269-74 alpha Rhubarb aqueousextract RelA nuclear translocation Moon et al., Life Sci. 2006 Feb 28;78(14): 1550-7. Epub 2005 Nov 2 Rolipram Nuclear translocation Sanchezet al., J Neuroimmunol. 2005 Nov; 168(1-2): 13-20. Epub 2005 Sep 22;Ikezoe et al., Cancer Res. 2004 Oct 15; 64(20): 7426-31. Salviamiltiorrhoza Bunge Nuclear translocation Ding et al., J Cardiovascextract Pharmacol. 2005 Jun; 45(6): 516-24 SC236 (a selective COX-2Nuclear translocation Wong et al., Oncogene. 2003 Feb inhibitor) 27;22(8): 1189-97 Selenomethionine Nuclear translocation Cherukuri et al.,Cancer Biol Ther. 2005 Feb; 4(2): 175-80. Epub 2005 Feb 8 ShenQicompound recipe RelA Nuclear translocation Zhang et al., Zhong Yao Cai.2006 Mar; 29(3): 249-53 Sophorae radix extract Nuclear translocationKwon et al., Clin Chim Acta. 2004 Oct; 348(1-2): 79-86 SopoongsanNuclear translocation Na et al., Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2006; 139(1):31-7. Epub 2005 Nov 3 Sphondin (furanocoumarin Nuclear translocationYang et al., Life Sci. 2002 Nov derivative from Heracleum 29; 72(2):199-213 laciniatum) TAT-SR-IkBa; MTS-SR- Nuclear translocation Blackwellet al., Arthritis Rheum. IkBa 2004 Aug; 50(8): 2675-84; Mora et al., AmJ Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol. 2005 Oct; 289(4): L536-44. Epub 2005Jun 10 Volatile anesthetic treatment Nuclear translocation Lee et al.,Anesthesiology. 2004 Dec; 101(6): 1313-24 Younggaechulgam-tang Nucleartranslocation Shin et al., Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol. 2004; 26(4):545-58 ZUD protein Activation of NF-κB; binds Zhang et al., J Biol Chem.2004 p105/RelA Apr 23; 279(17): 17819-25. Epub 2004 Feb 9 ZAS3 proteinRelA nuclear translocation; Hong et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA. DNAcompetition 2003 Oct 14; 100(21): 12301-6. Epub 2003 Oct 6Clarithromycin nuclear expression Ichiyama et al., Antimicrob AgentsChemother. 2001 Jan; 45(1): 44-7 Fluvastatin nuclear expression Azuma etal., Cardiovasc Res. 2004 Dec 1; 64(3): 412-20 Leflunomide RelA nuclearexpression Yao et al., Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2004 Jul; 25(7): 915-20RASSF1A gene RelA nuclear expression Deng et al., Zhong Nan Da Xueoverexpression Xue Bao Yi Xue Ban. 2005 Apr; 30(2): 193-6 oxidized1-palmitoyl-2- RelA expression Li et al., Zhonghua Yi Xue Zaarachidonoyl-sn-glycero-3- Zhi. 2004 Aug 2; 84(15): 1235-9phosphorylcholine (OXPAPC) 3C protease (Poliovirus) RelA expression(cleavage) Neznanov et al., J Biol Chem. 2005 Jun 24; 280(25): 24153-8.Epub 2005 Apr 21. 5F (from Pteri RelA expression He et al., Zhong YaoCai. 2005 syeminpinnata L) Aug; 28(8): 672-6 AT514 (serratamolide) RelAexpression Escobar-Diaz et al., Leukemia. 2005 Apr; 19(4): 572-9 Sorbuscommixta cortex RelA expression Sohn et al., Biol Pharm Bull. (methanolextract) 2005 Aug; 28(8): 1444-9 Cantharidin NF-κB expression He et al.,Ai Zheng. 2005 Apr; 24(4): 443-7 Cornus officinalis extract NF-κBexpression Li et al., Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2005 Nov; 30(21):1667-70 Neomycin NF-κB expression Garcia-Trapero et al., Neurol Res.2004 Dec; 26(8): 816-24 omapatrilat, enalapril, CGS NF-κB expression Puet al., J Hypertens. 2005 25462 Feb; 23(2): 401-9 Onconase (Ranpirnase)NF-κB expression Tsai et al., Int J Oncol. 2004 Dec; 25(6): 1745-52Paeoniflorin NF-κB expression Liu et al., Brain Res. 2006 May 17;1089(1): 162-70. Epub 2006 May 5 Rapamycin NF-κB expression Lawrence etal., J Vasc Surg. 2004 Aug; 40(2): 334-8 Sargassum hemiphyllum NF-κBexpression Na et al., J Pharmacol Sci. 2005 methanol extract Feb; 97(2):219-26. Epub 2005 Feb 5 Shenfu NF-κB expression Zhang et al., Chin JTraumatol. 2005 Aug 1; 8(4): 200-4 Tripterygium polyglycosides NF-κBexpression Zhou et al., Zhongguo Zhong Xi Yi Jie He Za Zhi. 2005 Aug;25(8): 723-6 Triflusal nuclear expression Acarin et al., Neurosci Lett.2000 Jul 7; 288(1): 41-4 HSCO (hepatoma protein) Accelerates RelAnuclear Higashitsuji et al., Cancer Cell. export 2002 Oct; 2(4): 335-46Andrographolide Covlalent adduct with Cys- Xia et al., J Immunol. 2004Sep 62 of p50 15; 173(6): 4207-17 Bee venom (melittin) DNA binding bybinding to Park et al., Arthritis Rheum. 2004 p50 Nov; 50(11): 3504-15Ethyl pyruvate DNA binding by RelA thru Han et al., J Pharmacol ExpTher. Cys-38 2005 Mar; 312(3): 1097-105. Epub 2004 Nov 31′-acetoxychavicol acetate DNA binding Ito et al., Biochem Biophys ResCommun. 2005 Dec 30; 338(4): 1702-10. Epub 2005 Nov 22-acetylaminofluorene DNA binding Kang et al., Cancer Lett. 2004 Jan 8;203(1): 91-8; Jeon et al., Toxicol Lett. 1999 Feb 22; 104(3): 195-202Actinodaphine (from DNA binding Hsieh et al., Food Chem Toxicol.Cinnamomum 2006 Mar; 44(3): 344-54. Epub insularimontanum) 2005 Sep 15Adiponectin DNA binding Ajuwon & Spurlock, Am J Physiol Regul IntegrComp Physiol. 2005 May; 288(5): R1220-5. Epub 2004 Dec 16 ADPribosylation inhibitors DNA binding Le Page et al., Biochem Biophys(nicotinamide, 3- Res Commun. 1998 Feb aminobenzamide) 13; 243(2): 451-7AIM2 (Absent In Melanoma DNA binding Chen et al., Mol Cancer Ther.protein) overexpression 2006 Jan; 5(1): 1-7 Moderate alcohol intake DNAbinding Mandrekar et al., Alcohol Clin Exp Res. 2006 Jan; 30(1): 135-97-amino-4-methylcoumarin DNA binding Kurokawa et al., Eur J Pharmacol.2003 Aug 8; 474(2-3): 283-93 Amrinone DNA binding Chanani et al.,Circulation. 2002 Sep 24; 106(12 Suppl 1): I284-9. Angiopoietin-1 DNAbinding Jeon et al., Circ Res. 2003 Apr 4; 92(6): 586-8 Anthocyanins(soybean) DNA binding Kim et al., FEBS Lett. 2006 Feb 20; 580(5):1391-7. Epub 2006 Jan 26 Arnica montana extract DNA binding Kos et al.,Planta Med. 2005 (sequiterpene lactones) Nov; 71(11): 1044-52Artemisinin DNA binding Aldieri et al., FEBS Lett. 2003 Sep 25;552(2-3): 141-4; Wang et al., Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2006 Jul;50(7): 2420-7 Atrial Natriuretic Peptide DNA binding; IkBa Gerbes etal., Hepatology. 1998 (ANP) upregulation Nov; 28(5): 1309-17; Kiemer etal., Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2002 Aug 2; 295(5): 1068-76. Atrovastat(HMG-CoA DNA binding Bustos et al., J Am Coll Cardiol. reductaseinhibitor) 1998 Dec; 32(7): 2057-64; Hernandez-Presa et al., Am JPathol. 1998 Dec; 153(6): 1825-37 AvrA protein (Salmonella) DNA bindingCollier-Hyams et al., J Immunol. 2002 Sep 15; 169(6): 2846-50 Baicalein(5,6,7- DNA binding Suk et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther. trihydroxyflavone)2003 May; 305(2): 638-45. Epub 2003 Jan 21 Bambara groundnut (Vignea DNAbinding Na et al., Biofactors. 2004; 21(1-4): subterranean) 149-53Benfotiamine (thiamine DNA binding Hammes et al., Nat Med. 2003derivative) Mar; 9(3): 294-9. Epub 2003 Feb 18 beta-catenin DNA bindingDeng et al., Cancer Cell. 2002 Oct; 2(4): 323-34 beta-lapachone (a 1,2-DNA binding Tzeng et al., Am J Respir Crit naphthoquinone) Care Med.2003 Jul 1; 168(1): 85-91. Epub 2003 Apr 30 Biliverdin DNA bindingYamashita et al., FASEB J. 2004 Apr; 18(6): 765-7. Epub 2004 Feb 20Bisphenol A DNA binding Kim & Jeong, Cancer Lett. 2003 Jun 30; 196(1):69-76 Bovine serum albumin DNA binding Zhang & Frei, Cardiovasc Res.2002 Sep; 55(4): 820-9 Brazilian green propolis DNA binding Bae et al.,Eur J Pharmacol. 2005 Apr 25; 513(3): 237-42. Epub 2005 Apr 15; Paulinoet al., Planta Med. 2006 Aug; 72(10): 899-906. Epub 2006 Aug 10Bromelain DNA binding Hou et al., J Agric Food Chem. 2006 Mar 22; 54(6):2193-8 Calcium/calmodulin- DNA binding Chen et al., J Biol Chem. 2002Jul dependent kinase kinase 5; 277(27): 24169-79. Epub 2002 (CaMKK) (andincreased Apr 25 intracellular calcium by ionomycin, UTP andthapsigargin) Calcitriol (1a,25- DNA binding Harant et al., Eur JBiochem. dihydroxyvitamin D3) 1997 Nov 15; 250(1): 63-71 CampthothecinDNA binding Hentze et al., Hepatology. 2004 May; 39(5): 1311-20 Cancerbush (Sutherlandia DNA binding Na et al., Biofactors. 2004; 21(1-4):frutescens) 149-53 Caprofen DNA binding Bryant et al., Am J Vet Res.2003 Feb; 64(2): 211-5 Capsiate DNA binding Sancho et al., Eur JImmunol. 2002 Jun; 32(6): 1753-63 Carbocisteine DNA binding Yasuda etal., Eur Respir J. 2006 Jul; 28(1): 51-8. Epub 2006 Mar 1 Catalposide(stem bark) DNA binding Oh et al., Planta Med. 2002 Aug; 68(8): 685-9Cat's claw bark (Uncaria DNA binding Aguilar et al., J Ethnopharmacol.tomentosa; Rubiaceae); 2002 Jul; 81(2): 271-6; Maca Valerio & Gonzales,Toxicol Rev. 2005; 24(1): 11-35 CD43 overexpression DNA binding (RelA)Laos et al., Int J Oncol. 2006 Mar; 28(3): 695-704 Celecoxib andgermcitabine DNA binding El-Rayes et al., Mol Cancer Ther. 2004 Nov;3(11): 1421-6 Cheongyeolsaseuptang DNA binding Kim et al., JEthnopharmacol. 2005 Feb 10; 97(1): 83-8. Epub 2004 Dec 10 Chitosan DNAbinding Seo et al., Biol Pharm Bull. 2003 May; 26(5): 717-21Cinnamaldehyde, 2- DNA binding Reddy et al., Planta Med. 2004methoxycinnamaldehyde, 2- Sep; 70(9): 823-7; hydroxycinnamaldehyde Leeet al., Biochem Pharmacol. 2005 Mar 1; 69(5): 791-9. Epub 2005 Jan 16Chicory root (guaianolide 8- DNA binding Cavin et al., Biochem Biophysdeoxylactucin) Res Commun. 2005 Feb 18; 327(3): 742-9 Chlorophyllin DNAbinding Yun et al., Int Immunopharmacol. 2005 Dec; 5(13-14): 1926-35.Epub 2005 Jul 6. Chondrotin sulfate DNA binding Rolls et al., FASEB J.2006 proteoglycan degradation Mar; 20(3): 547-9. Epub 2006 Jan 5 productClarithromycin DNA binding Miyanohara et al., Laryngoscope. 2000 Jan;110(1): 126-31 Cloricromene DNA binding Ianaro et al., NaunynSchmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2004 Aug; 370(2): 140-5. Epub 2004 Jul 30Cocaethylene DNA binding Tacker et al., Clin Chem. 2006 Oct; 52(10):1926-33. Epub 2006 Aug 17 Commerical peritoneal DNA binding Douvdevaniet al., Kidney Int. dialysis solution 1995 Jun; 47(6): 1537-45 CompoundK (from Panax DNA binding Park et al., Biol Pharm Bull. 2005 ginseng)Apr; 28(4): 652-6. Cortex cinnamomi extract DNA binding Kwon et al.,World J Gastroenterol. 2006 Jul 21; 12(27): 4331-7 CP Compound(6-Hydroxy- DNA binding Rak Min et al., Life Sci. 20057-methoxychroman-2- Nov 4; 77(25): 3242-57. Epub carboxylic acid 2005Jun 22 phenylamide) Cryptotanshinone DNA binding Zhou et al., BiochimBiophys Acta. 2006 Jan; 1760(1): 1-9. Epub 2005 Oct 3. CyanoguanidineCHS 828 DNA binding Johanson et al., Neuroendocrinology. 2005; 82(3-4):171-6. Epub 2006 Feb 24 Cytochalasin D DNA binding Kim et al., J BiolChem. 2003 Oct 24; 278(43): 42448-56. Epub 2003 Aug 7 DA-9201 (fromblack rice) DNA binding Lee et al., Arch Pharm Res. 2005 Dec; 28(12):1350-7. Danshenshu DNA binding Jiang et al., Zhonghua Shao Shang Za Zhi.2001 Feb; 17(1): 36-8 (kB site) Decoy DNA binding Kupatt et al., GeneTher. 2002 oligonucleotides Apr; 9(8): 518-26; Morishita et al., NatMed. 1997 Aug; 3(8): 894-9 Diamide DNA binding Toledano & Leonard, ProcNatl Acad Sci USA. 1991 May 15; 88(10): 4328-32 Diarylheptanoid 7-(4′-DNA binding Yadav et al., J Pharmacol Exp hydroxy-3′-methoxyphenyl)-Ther. 2003 Jun; 305(3): 925-31. 1-phenylhept-4-en-3-one Epub 2003 Mar 6alpha- DNA binding Facchini et al., J Cell Physiol.difluoromethylornithine 2005 Sep; 204(3): 956-63 (polyamine depletion)DIM/13C DNA binding Li et al., Front Biosci. 2005 Jan 1; 10: 236-43.Print 2005 Jan 1 Diterpenoids from Isodon DNA binding Leung et al., MolPharmacol. rubescens or Liverwort 2005 Aug; 68(2): 286-97. EpubJungermannia 2005 May 4; Kondoh et al., Planta Med. 2005 Nov; 71(11):1005-9 DTD (4,10- DNA binding Rioja et al., Naunyn dichloropyrido[5,6:4,5]thieno[3, Schmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2-d′: 3,2-d]-1,2,3- 2002May; 365(5): 357-64. Epub ditriazine) 2002 Mar 19. E1B (Adenovirus) DNAbinding Limbourg et al., J Biol Chem. 1996 Aug 23; 271(34): 20392-8E3330 (quinone derivative) DNA binding Hiramoto et al., J Immunol. 1998Jan 15; 160(2): 810-9; Kimura et al., Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1997Feb 24; 231(3): 557-60 ent-kaurane diterpenoids DNA binding Giang etal., J Nat Prod. 2003 (Croton tonkinensis leaves) Sep; 66(9): 1217-20Epinastine hydrochloride DNA binding Kanai et al., Int Arch AllergyImmunol. 2006; 140(1): 43-52. Epub 2006 Mar 13 Epoxyquinol A (fungal DNAbinding Li et al., Org Lett. 2002 Sep metabolite) 19; 4(19): 3267-70Erythromycin DNA Ren et al., J Orthop Res. 2004 binding/transactivationJan; 22(1): 21-9; Desaki et al., Antimicrob Agents Chemother. 2004 May;48(5): 1581-5 Evans Blue DNA binding Sharma et al., Bioorg Med ChemLett. 2004 Dec 20; 14(24): 6123-7 Evodiamine DNA binding Choi et al.,Arch Pharm Res. 2006 Apr; 29(4): 293-7 Fenoldopam DNA binding Aravindanet al., J Cardiothorac Vasc Anesth. 2006 Apr; 20(2): 179-86. Epub 2006Jan 6 Fexofenadine hydrochloride DNA binding Asano et al., Clin ExpAllergy. 2004 Dec; 34(12): 1890-8 Fibrates DNA binding Hirano et al.,Int Immunopharmacol. 2003 Feb; 3(2): 225-32 Fish oil feeding DNA bindingFan et al., J Immunol. 2004 Nov 15; 173(10): 6151-60 FK778 DNA bindingZeyda et al., Transplant Proc. 2005 May; 37(4): 1968-9 FLN29overexpression DNA binding Mashima et al., J Biol Chem. 2005 Dec 16;280(50): 41289-97. Epub 2005 Oct 12 FLICE-Like Inhibitory DNA bindingBannerman et al., Am J Pathol. Protein (FLIP) 2004 Oct; 165(4): 1423-31Flunixin meglumine DNA binding Bryant et al., Am J Vet Res. 2003 Feb;64(2): 211-5 Flurbiprofen DNA binding Fratelli et al., Antioxid RedoxSignal. 2003 Apr; 5(2): 229-35 Fomes fomentarius methanol DNA bindingPark et al., Biol Pharm Bull. 2004 extracts Oct; 27(10): 1588-93Fucoidan DNA binding Haneji et al., Nutr Cancer. 2005; 52(2): 189-201G-120 (Ulmus davidiana DNA binding; IkB Son et al., Mol Cells. 2004 OctNakai glycoprotein) increases 31; 18(2): 163-70.; Lee et al., Food ChemToxicol. 2005 Jun; 43(6): 961-8 Gallic acid DNA binding Kim et al.,Toxicol Sci. 2006 May; 91(1): 123-31. Epub 2005 Dec 1 Ganoderma lucidum(fungal DNA binding Sliva et al., Biochem Biophys Res dried spores orfruting body) Commun. 2002 Nov 8; 298(4): 603-12. Garcinol (fruit rindof DNA binding Hong et al., Carcinogenesis. 2006 Garcinia spp) Feb;27(2): 278-86. Epub 2005 Aug 10 Gax (homeobox protein) DNA binding Patelet al., Cancer Res. 2005 Feb 15; 65(4): 1414-24 Geranylgeraniol DNAbinding Espindola et al., Carcinogenesis. 2005 Jun; 26(6): 1091-9. Epub2005 Feb 17 Ghrelin DNA binding Li et al., Circulation. 2004 May 11;109(18): 2221-6. Epub 2004 Apr 26 Gigantol (Cymbidium DNA binding Won etal., Planta Med. 2006 georingii) Aug 21; [Epub ahead of print]Ginkgolide B DNA binding Nie et al., Yao Xue Xue Bao. 2004 Jun; 39(6):415-8. Glycyrrhizin DNA binding Wang et al., Liver. 1998 Jun; 18(3):180-5; Yuan et al., World J Gastroenterol. 2006 Jul 28; 12(28): 4578-81H4/N5 (IkB-like proteins of DNA binding Thoetkiattikul et al., Proc NatlMicroplitis demolitor Acad Sci USA. 2005 Aug bracovirus) 9; 102(32):11426-31. Epub 2005 Aug 1 Halofuginone DNA binding Leiba et al., JLeukoc Biol. 2006 Aug; 80(2): 399-406. Epub 2006 Jun 12 Heat(fever-like) DNA binding Salanova et al., FASEB J. 2005 May; 19(7):816-8. Epub 2005 Mar 8 Helenalin (sesquiterpene DNA binding Kim et al.,Eur J Pharmacol. 2005 lactone) Mar 28; 511(2-3): 89-97 Hematein (plantcompound) DNA binding Oh et al., Atherosclerosis. 2001 Nov; 159(1):17-26 Herbal compound 861 DNA binding You et al., Zhonghua Gan Zang BingZa Zhi. 2001 Apr; 9(2): 73-4 Hesperetin DNA binding Kim et al., AgingCell. 2006 Oct; 5(5): 401-11. Epub 2006 Aug25 HIV-1 Resistance FactorDNA binding Lesner et al., J Immunol. 2005 Aug 15; 175(4): 2548-54Hydroxyethyl starch DNA binding Tian et al., Ann Clin Lab Sci. 2003Fall; 33(4): 451-8; Feng et al., J Surg Res. 2006 Sep; 135(1): 129-36.Epub 2006 Apr 17 Hydroxyethylpuerarin DNA binding Lou et al., Chin JPhysiol. 2004 Dec 31; 47(4): 197-201 Hypercapnic acidosis DNA bindingChonghaile et al., Curr Opin Crit Care. 2005 Feb; 11(1): 56-62 HypericinDNA binding Bork et al., Planta Med. 1999 May; 65(4): 297-300Hyperosmolarity DNA binding Lang et al., Am J Physiol Cell Physiol. 2003Jan; 284(1): C200-8 Hypothermia DNA binding Hassoun et al., J Surg Res.2003 Nov; 115(1): 121-6 Hydroquinone (HQ) DNA binding Pyatt et al.,Toxicol Appl Pharmacol. 1998 Apr; 149(2): 178-84 ICP27 (HSV-1) DNAbinding Melchjorsen et al., J Gen Virol. 2006 May; 87(Pt 5): 1099-108Interleukin 4 (IL-4) DNA binding Manna & Aggarwal, J Biol Chem. 1998 Dec11; 273(50): 33333-41 IkB-like protein A238L DNA binding Powell et al.,J Virol. 1996 (encoded by ASFV) Dec; 70(12): 8527-33; Revilla et al., JBiol Chem. 1998 Feb 27; 273(9): 5405-11 Insulin-like growth factor DNAbinding Williams et al., Cell Death Differ. binding protein-3 2006 Apr28; [Epub ahead of print] JSH-21 (N1-Benzyl-4- DNA binding Min et al.,Arch Pharm Res. 2004 methylbenzene-1,2-diamine) Oct; 27(10): 1053-9Kamebakaurin DNA binding Lee et al., J Biol Chem. 2002 May 24; 277(21):18411-20. Epub 2002 Mar 4 Kaposi's sarcoma-associated DNA binding Lee etal., J Virol. 2002 herpesvirus K1 protein Dec; 76(23): 12185-99 KetamineDNA binding Sun et al., Inflamm Res. 2004 Jul; 53(7): 304-8. Epub 2004Jun 25 KT-90 (morphine synthetic DNA binding Sueoka et al., BiochemBiophys derivative) Res Commun. 1998 Nov 27; 252(3): 566-70 Linoleicacid DNA binding Zhao et al., Arch Anim Nutr. 2005 Dec; 59(6): 429-38Lithospermi radix DNA binding Chung et al., J Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Dec1; 102(3): 412-7. Epub 2005 Jul 28 Lovastatin DNA binding Sun &Fernandes, Cell Immunol. 2003 May; 223(1): 52-62 Macrolide antibioticsDNA binding Nguyen et al., Curr Opin Pulm Med. 2002 Nov; 8(6): 521-8Mediterranean plant extracts DNA binding Stalinska et al., J PhysiolPharmacol. 2005 Mar; 56 Suppl 1: 157-69 Mercaptopyrazine DNA binding Limet al., Biochem Pharmacol. 2004 Aug 15; 68(4): 719-28 2-methoxyestradiolDNA binding; Shimada et al., Mol Carcinog. Transactivation 2004 Jan;39(1): 1-9; Takada et al., Acta Med Okayama. 2004 Aug; 58(4): 181-76-(Methylsulfinyl)hexyl DNA binding; Uto et al., Biochem Pharmacol.isothiocyanate (Wasabi) Transactivation 2005 Dec 5; 70(12): 1772-84.Epub 2005 Oct 27 Metals (chromium, DNA binding Shumilla et al., ArchBiochem cadmium, gold, lead, Biophys. 1998 Jan 15; 349(2): 356-62;mercury, zinc, arsenic) Yang et al., 1995; Zuscik et al., J Orthop Res.2002 Jul; 20(4): 811-8 Mevinolin, 5′- DNA binding Law et al., Mol CellBiol. 1992 methylthioadenosine (MTA) Jan; 12(1): 103-11Monomethylfumarate DNA binding Litjens et al., Eur J Immunol. 2004 Feb;34(2): 565-75 Moxifloxacin DNA binding Werber et al., J AntimicrobChemother. 2005 Mar; 55(3): 293-300. Epub 2005 Jan 19; Shalit et al., JAntimicrob Chemother. 2006 Feb; 57(2): 230-5. Epub 2005 Dec 13 MyricetinDNA binding Kang et al., Arch Pharm Res. 2005 Mar; 28(3): 274-9. NDPP1(CARD protein) DNA binding Zhang & Fu, Int J Oncol. 2002 May; 20(5):1035-40 N-ethyl-maleimide (NEM) DNA binding Toledano & Leonard, ProcNatl Acad Sci USA. 1991 May 15; 88(10): 4328-32 Naringen DNA bindingKanno et al., Life Sci. 2006 Jan 11; 78(7): 673-81. Epub 2005 Aug 31Nicorandil DNA binding Katamura et al., Shock. 2005 Aug; 24(2): 103-8Nicotine DNA binding Sugano et al., Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1998 Nov9; 252(1): 25-8 Nitric oxide-donating aspirin DNA binding Kashfi &Rigas, Biochem Soc Trans. 2005 Aug; 33(Pt 4): 701-4. Nilvadipine DNAbinding Iwasaki et al., Clin Chim Acta. 2004 Dec; 350(1-2): 151-7Nitrosoglutathione DNA binding Kuo et al., J Trauma. 2004 Nov; 57(5):1025-31; Khan et al., J Cereb Blood Flow Metab. 2005 Feb; 25(2): 177-92NS1 (Influenza A) DNA binding Wang et al., J Virol. 2000 Dec; 74(24):11566-73 NS3/4A (Hepatitis C virus) DNA binding Karayiannis, J Hepatol.2005 Oct; 43(4): 743-5 Extracts of Ochna DNA binding Tang et al., PlantaMed. 2003 macrocalyx bark Mar; 69(3): 247-53 Leucine-rich effector DNAbinding Haraga & Miller, Infect Immun. proteins of Salmonella & 2003Jul; 71(7): 4052-8 Shigella (SspH1 and IpaH9.8) Omega-3 fatty acids DNAbinding Sethi, Redox Rep. 2002; 7(6): 369-78 Oridonin (diterpenoid fromDNA binding Ikezoe et al., Mol Cancer Ther. Rabdosia rubescens) 2005Apr; 4(4): 578-86 p8 DNA binding Vasseur et al., J Biol Chem. 2004 Feb20; 279(8): 7199-207. Epub 2003 Dec 1 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl- DNAbinding Oh et al., Cancer Lett. 2001 Dec beta-D-glucose 10; 174(1):17-24 p202a (interferon inducible DNA binding by p65 and Ma et al., JBiol Chem. 2003 Jun protein) p50/p65; increases p50 20; 278(25):23008-19. Epub 2003 Apr 3 p21 (recombinant) DNA binding Khanna et al., JImmunol. 2005 Jun 15; 174(12): 7610-7 PC-SPES (8 herb mixture) DNAbinding Ikezoe et al., Mol Pharmacol. 2003 Dec; 64(6): 1521-9; Ikezoe etalInt J Oncol. 2006 Aug; 29(2): 453-61 Panepoxydone DNA binding Erkel etal., Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1996 Sep 4; 226(1): 214-21 Peptidenucleic acid-DNA DNA binding Penolazzi et al., Int J Mol Med. decoys2004 Aug; 14(2): 145-52 Pentoxifylline (1-(5′- DNA binding Biswas etal., J Acquir Immune oxohexyl) 3,7- Defic Syndr. 1993 Jul; 6(7): 778-86;dimetylxanthine, PTX) Wang et al., Immunity. 1997 Feb; 6(2): 165-74; Jiet al., Ann Clin Lab Sci. 2004 Autumn; 34(4): 427-36 Peptide YY DNAbinding Vona-Davis et al., J Am Coll Surg. 2004 Jul; 199(1): 87-95Pepluanone DNA binding Corea et al., J Med Chem. 2005 Nov 3; 48(22):7055-62 Perindopril DNA binding Li et al., World J Gastroenterol. 2005Aug 21; 11(31): 4807-11 6(5H)-phenanthridinone and DNA binding Chiarugi,Br J Pharmacol. 2002 benzamide Nov; 137(6): 761-70 Phyllanthus amarusextracts DNA binding Kiemer et al., J Hepatol. 2003 Mar; 38(3): 289-97PIAS1 (protein inhibitor of RelA DNA binding Liu et al., Mol Cell Biol.2005 activatated STAT1) Feb; 25(3): 1113-23 Pioglitazone (PPARgamma DNAbinding Takagi et al., Redox Rep. ligand) 2002; 7(5): 283-9 PirfenidoneDNA binding Tsuchiya et al., J Hepatol. 2004 Jan; 40(1): 94-101;Nakanishi et al., J Hepatol. 2004 Nov; 41(5): 730-6 Polyozellin DNAbinding Jin et al., Planta Med. 2006 Jul; 72(9): 857-9. Epub 2006 Jun19. Prenylbisabolane 3 (from DNA binding Campagnuoloe et al., Bioorg MedCroton eluteria Bennett) Chem. 2005 Jul 1; 13(13): 4238-42Pro-opiomelanocortin DNA binding Liu et al., Mol Pharmacol. 2006 Feb;69(2): 440-51. Epub 2005 Nov 3 Prostaglandin E2 DNA binding and RelA Minet al., J Rheumatol. 2002 nuclear translocation Jul; 29(7): 1366-76.;Gomez et al., J Immunol. 2005 Nov 15; 175(10): 6924-30 Protein-bound DNAbinding Zhang et al., Oncogene. 2003 Apr polysaccharide (PSK) 10;22(14): 2088-96 PYPAF1 protein DNA binding Jeru et al., Arthritis Rheum.2006 Feb; 54(2): 508-14 Pyridine N-oxide derivatives DNA binding Stevenset al., Biochem Pharmacol. 2006 Apr 14; 71(8): 1122-35. Epub 2006 Jan 24Pyrithione DNA binding Kim et al., Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 1999 Jun16; 259(3): 505-9 Pyrrole-imidazole DNA binding Wurtz et al.,Biochemistry. 2002 polyamides Jun 18; 41(24): 7604-9. Quinadril (ACEinhibitor) DNA binding Bustos et al., J Am Coll Cardiol. 1998 Dec;32(7): 2057-64; Hernandez-Presa et al., Am J Pathol. 1998 Dec; 153(6):1825-37 Quinic acid DNA binding Akesson et al., Int Immunopharmacol.2005 Jan; 5(1): 219-29 Raf Kinase Inhibitor Protein DNA binding Keller,Anticancer Drugs. 2004 (RKIP) Aug; 15(7): 663-9 Rapomycin DNA bindingDichtl et al., Atherosclerosis. 2006 Jun; 186(2): 321-30. Epub 2005 Sep23. Raloxifene RelA DNA binding Olivier et al., Mol Pharmacol. 2006 May;69(5): 1615-23. Epub 2006 Feb 23 Raxofelast DNA binding Altavilla etal., Free Radic Res. 2003 Apr; 37(4): 425-35 Rebamipide DNA binding Hahmet al., Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2003 Jul; 18 Suppl 1: 24-38 Rhusverniciflua Stokes DNA binding Ko et al., Toxicol In vitro. 2005 fruits36 kDa glycoprotein Apr; 19(3): 353-63. Epub 2004 Dec 24 Ribavirin DNAbinding Fiedler et al., J Virol. 1996 Dec; 70(12): 9079-82. RifamidesDNA binding Pahlevan et al., J Antimicrob Chemother. 2002 Mar; 49(3):531-4 Ritonavir DNA binding Ikezoe et al., Cancer Res. 2004 Oct 15;64(20): 7426-31 Rosiglitazone DNA binding Gruden et al., J Am SocNephrol. 2005 Mar; 16(3): 688-96. Epub 2005 Jan 26 Roxithromycin DNAbinding Kim et al., Pharmacology. 2004 Sep; 72(1): 6-11 Sanggenon C DNAbinding Li et al., Acta Pharmacol Sin. 2002 Feb; 23(2): 138-42 Santonindiacetoxy acetal DNA binding Kim et al., J Biol Chem. 2006 derivativeMay 12; 281(19): 13117-25. Epub 2006 Mar 22 Secretory leukoprotease DNAbinding Jin et al., Cell. 1997 Feb inhibitor (SLPI) 7; 88(3): 417-26:Greene et al., Infect Immun. 2004 Jun; 72(6): 3684-7; Taggart et al., JExp Med. 2005 Dec 19; 202(12): 1659-68. Epub 2005 Dec 13. Serotoninderivative (N-(p- DNA binding Kawashima et al., J Interferon coumaroyl)serotonin, SC) Cytokine Res. 1998 Jun; 18(6): 423-8 Sesamin (from sesameoil) DNA binding Jeng et al., Immunol Lett. 2005 Feb 15; 97(1): 101-6.Shen-Fu DNA binding Qian et al., Am J Chin Med. 2006; 34(4): 613-21.Siah2 DNA binding Habelhah et al., EMBO J. 2002 Nov 1; 21(21): 5756-65Silibinin DNA binding Schumann et al., J Hepatol. 2003 Sep; 39(3):333-40. Simvastatin DNA binding Li et al., J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2002Aug; 302(2): 601-5.; Kalyanasundaram et al., J Vasc Surg. 2006 Jan;43(1): 117-24. Sinomenine DNA binding Chen et al., Zhongguo Zhong Yao ZaZhi. 2004 Sep; 29(9): 900-3. SIRT1 Deacetylase DNA binding Chen et al.,J Biol Chem. 2005 overexpression Dec 2; 280(48): 40364-74. Epub 2005 Sep23. Siva-1 DNA binding Gudi et al., Oncogene. 2006 Jun 8; 25(24):3458-62. Epub 2006 Feb 20. SM-7368 (small molecule) DNA binding Lee etal., Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2005 Oct 21; 336(2): 716-22. Solananigrum L. 150 kDa DNA binding Heo et al., Toxicol In vitro. 2004glycoprotein Dec; 18(6): 755-63.; Lee & Lim, Toxicol In vitro. 2006 Oct;20(7): 1088-97. Epub 2006 Mar 9. Sulfasalazine DNA binding Egan &Sandborn, Gastroenterology. 1998 Nov; 115(5): 1295-6. SUN C8079 DNAbinding Matsumori et al., Eur J Heart Fail. 2004 Mar 1; 6(2): 137-44.Surfactant protein A DNA binding Alcorn & Wright, J Biol Chem. 2004 Jul16; 279(29): 30871-9. Epub 2004 May 3. Sword brake fern extract DNAbinding Wu et al., J Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Apr 8; 98(1-2): 73-81. T-614(a DNA binding Aikawa et al., Inflamm Res. 2002 methanesulfoanilideanti- Apr; 51(4): 188-94 arthritis inhibitor) Tanacetum larvatum extractDNA binding Petrovic et al., J Ethnopharmacol. 2003 Jul; 87(1): 109-13Tansinones (Salvia DNA binding Choi et al., Arch Pharm Res. 2004miltiorrhiza Bunge, Labiatae Dec; 27(12): 1233-7. roots) Taurine +niacine DNA binding Giri, Adv Exp Med Biol. 2003; 526: 381-94.; Kim &Kim, Biochem Pharmacol. 2005 Nov 1; 70(9): 1352-60. TetramethylpyrazineDNA binding Cheng et al., Planta Med. 2006 Aug; 72(10): 888-93. Epub2006 Aug 10. Tobacoo smoke DNA binding Zhong et al., Am J Respir CritCare Med. 2006 Aug 15; 174(4): 428-36. Epub 2006 May 18 Tom1 (target ofMyb-1) DNA binding Yamakami & Yokosawa, Biol overexpression Pharm Bull.2004 Apr; 27(4): 564-6. Thiazolidinedione MCC-555 DNA bindingKurebayashi et al., Atherosclerosis. 2005 Sep; 182(1): 71-7. Epub 2005Mar 4. Transdominant p50 DNA binding Logeat et al., EMBO J. 1991 Jul;10(7): 1827-32. Trichostatin A RelA DNA binding Hu & Colburn, 2005Triclosan plus DNA binding Kim et al., J Periodontol. 2005cetylpyridinium chloride Oct; 76(10): 1735-42. Triptolide (PG490,extract of DNA binding Qiu et al., J Biol Chem. 1999 May Chinese herb)7; 274(19): 13443-50; Kim et al., Eur J Pharmacol. 2004 Jun 21; 494(1):1-9.; Yinjun et al., Leuk Res. 2005 Jan; 29(1): 99-105. TyrphostinAG-126 DNA binding Moore et al., 2003 Ursolic acid DNA binding Hsu etal., Life Sci. 2004 Sep 24; 75(19): 2303-16. Uteroglobin DNA bindingMandal et al., J Exp Med. 2004 May 17; 199(10): 1317-30. V, C proteins(Sendai virus) DNA binding Komatsu et al., Virology. 2004 Jul 20;325(1): 137-48. Vascular endothelial growth DNA binding Oyama et al., JImmunol. 1998 factor (VEGF) Feb 1; 160(3): 1224-32.; Gabrilovich et al.,Blood. 1998 Dec 1; 92(11): 4150-66 Verapamil DNA binding Li et al.,Inflamm Res. 2006 Mar; 55(3): 108-13. Withaferin A DNA binding Mohan etal., Angiogenesis. 2004; 7(2): 115-22. Wogonin (5,7-dihydroxy-8- DNAbinding Lee et al., FASEB J. 2003 methoxyflavone) Oct; 17(13): 1943-4.Epub 2003 Aug 1; Piao et al., Arch Pharm Res. 2004 Sep; 27(9): 930-6.Xanthohumol (a hops DNA binding Colgate et al., Cancer Lett. 2006prenylflavonoid) Mar 22; [Epub ahead of print] Xylitol DNA binding Hanet al., Clin Diagn Lab Immunol. 2005 Nov; 12(11): 1285-91 Yan-gan-wanDNA binding Yang et al., Hepatol Res. 2005 Aug; 32(4): 202-212. Epub2005 Aug 16 Yin-Chen-Hao DNA binding Cai et al., J Pharm Pharmacol. 2006May; 58(5): 677-84. Yucca schidigera extract DNA binding Marzocco etal., Life Sci. 2004 Aug 6; 75(12): 1491-501.; Cheeke et al., J Inflamm(Lond). 2006 Mar 29; 3: 6. Overexpressed ZIP1 DNA binding Khadeer etal., Bone. 2005 Sep; 37(3): 296-304. Plant compound A (a phenyl DNAbinding and De Bosscher et al., Proc Natl aziridine precursor)transactivation Acad Sci USA. 2005 Nov 1; 102(44): 15827-32. Epub 2005Oct 21. 8-acetoxy-5- Transactivation Appendino et al., J Nat Prod.Hydroxyumbelliprenin (from 2006 Jul; 69(7): 1101-4. Asafetida)AMP-activated protein Transactivation Cacicedo et al., Biochem Biophyskinase Res Commun. 2004 Nov 26; 324(4): 1204-9. APC0576 TransactivationYuzawa et al., Transplantation. 2003 May 15; 75(9): 1463-8. Artemisiasylvatica Transactivation (reporter Jin et al., Phytochemistry. 2004sesquiterpene lactones assays) Aug; 65(15): 2247-53. ArtemisolideTransactivation Reddy et al., Arch Pharm Res. 2006 Jul; 29(7): 591-7.BSASM (plant extract Transactivation (reporter Lee et al., JEthnopharmacol. mixture) assays) 2005 Jan 4; 96(1-2): 211-9.Bifodobacteria Transactivation Riedel et al., World J Gastroenterol.2006 Jun 21; 12(23): 3729-35. Bupleurum fruticosum TransactivationBremner et al., Planta Med. 2004 phenylpropanoids Oct; 70(10): 914-8.Blueberry and berry mix Transactivation Atalay et al., FEBS Lett. 2003Jun (Optiberry) 5; 544(1-3): 252-7 BZLF1(EBV protein) TransactivationMorrison et al., Virology. 2004 Oct 25; 328(2): 219-32 Chromenederivatives Transactivation Cheng et al., Bioorg Med Chem Lett. 2003 Nov3; 13(21): 3647-50. D609 (phosphatidylcholine- Transactivation Bergmannet al., J Biol Chem. phospholipase C inhibitor) 1998 Mar 20; 273(12):6607-10 Dehydroevodiamine Transactivation Noh et al., Life Sci. 2006 Jul10; 79(7): 695-701. Epub 2006 Mar 6 4′-demethyl-6- TransactivationVailev et al., Neoplasma. methoxypodophyllotoxin 2005; 52(5): 425-9.(lignan of Linum tauricum Willd. ssp. tauricum) Ethyl 2-[(3-methyl-2,5-Transactivation Palanki et al., Bioorg Med Chem dioxo(3-pyrrolinyl))Lett. 2002 Sep 16; 12(18): 2573-7 amino]-4-(trifluoromethyl)pyrimidine-5-carboxylate Cycloprodigiosin Transactivation Kamata et al.,FEBS Lett. 2001 hycrochloride Oct 19; 507(1): 74-80. Dimethylfumarate(DMF) Nuclear translocation Loewe et al., J Immunol. 2002 May 1; 168(9):4781-7. E1A (Adenovirus) Transactivation Cook et al., Proc Natl Acad SciUSA. 2002 Jul 23; 99(15): 9966-71. Epub 2002 Jul 15. Eckol/Dieckol(seaweed E Transactivation Joe et al., Biol Pharm Bull. 2006stolonifera) Aug; 29(8): 1735-9. Fructus Benincasae RecensTransactivation Kwon et al., Immunopharmacol extract Immunotoxicol. 2003Nov; 25(4): 615-25. Glucocorticoids Transactivation and Auphan et al.,Science. 1995 Oct (dexametasone, prednisone, increases IkBa levels 13;270(5234): 286-90; methylprednisolone) Brostjan et al., J Biol Chem.1996 Aug 9; 271(32): 19612-6; Ray & Prefontaine, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA.1994 Jan 18; 91(2): 752-6; Scheinman et al., Mol Cell Biol. 1995 Feb;15(2): 943-53 Gypenoside XLIX (from Transactivation (PPAR- Huang et al.,J Biomed Sci. 2006 Gynostemma pentaphyllum) alpha-dependent) Jul; 13(4):535-48. Epub 2006 Mar 10. Histidine Transactivation Son et al., FEBSLett. 2005 Aug 29; 579(21): 4671-7. HIV-1 protease inhibitorsTransactivation Equils et al., Antimicrob Agents (nelfinavir, ritonavir,or Chemother. 2004 saquinavir) Oct; 48(10): 3905-11. Kwei Ling Ko(Tortoise Transactivation Yip et al., Phytomedicine. 2005 shell-Rhizomejelly) Nov; 12(10): 748-59. Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort TransactivationLiu et al., Planta Med. 2005 root Sep; 71(9): 808-13. Low gravityTransactivation Boonyaratanakornkit et al., FASEB J. 2005 Dec; 19(14):2020-2. Epub 2005 Oct 6 Nobiletin Transactivation Murakami et al., JNutr. 2005 Dec; 135(12 Suppl): 2987S-2992S NRF (NF-κB repressionTransactivation Jianfeng et al., Mol Cells. 2003 factor) Dec 31; 16(3):397-401 Paeonol (from Mountain Transactivation Ishiguro et al., ToxicolAppl Cortx) Pharmacol. 2006 Jul 14; [Epub ahead of print]Phenethylisothiocyanate Transactivation Gerhauser et al., Mutat Res.2003 Feb-Mar; 523-524: 163-72. 4-phenylcoumarins (from TransactivationBedoya et al., Bioorg Med Chem Marila pluricostata) Lett. 2005 Oct 15;15(20): 4447-50. Phomol Transactivation Weber et al., J Antibiot(Tokyo). 2004 Sep; 57(9): 559-63. PIAS3 Transactivation Jang et al., JBiol Chem. 2004 Jun 4; 279(23): 24873-80. Epub 2004 Mar 26. PranlukastTransactivation Ichiyama et al., Clin Exp Allergy. 2003 Jun; 33(6):802-7; Ishinaga et al., Pharmacology. 2005 Feb; 73(2): 89-96. Epub 2004Oct 5. Psychosine Transactivation Haq et al., J Neurochem. 2003 Sep;86(6): 1428-40. Quinazolines Transactivation Tobe et al., Bioorg MedChem. 2003 Sep 1; 11(18): 3869-78. Resveratrol RelA nuclear localizationManna et al., J Immunol. 2000 and transactivation Jun 15; 164(12):6509-19; Pendurthi et al., Thromb Haemost. 2002 Jan; 87(1): 155-62.RO31-8220 (PKC inhibitor) Transactivation Bergmann et al., J Biol Chem.1998 Mar 20; 273(12): 6607-10. Saucerneol D and saucerneol ETransactivation Hwang et al., Phytochemistry. 2003 Oct; 64(3): 765-71SB203580 (p38 MAPK Transactivation Bergmann et al., J Biol Chem.inhibitor) 1998 Mar 20; 273(12): 6607-10. SH protein (Mumps Virus)Transactivation Wilson et al., J Virol. 2006 Feb; 80(4): 1700-9.Tranilast [N-(3,4- Transactivation Spiecker et al., Mol Pharmacol.dimethoxycinnamoyl)anthranilic 2002 Oct; 62(4): 856-63. acid]3,4,5-trimethoxy-4′- Transactivation Rojas et al., Naunyn fluorochalconeSchmiedebergs Arch Pharmacol. 2003 Sep; 368(3): 225-33. Epub 2003 Aug 2.Uncaria tomentosum plant Transactivation Akesson et al., Int extractImmunopharmacol. 2003 Dec; 3(13-14): 1889-900. LY294,002 TransactivationSizemore et al., Mol Cell Biol. 1999 Jul; 19(7): 4798-805. MesalamineRelA phosphorylation & Egan et al., J Biol Chem. 1999 transactivationSep 10; 274(37): 26448-53. Mesuol RelA phosphorylation & Marquez et al.,Antiviral Res. transactivation 2005 Jun; 66(2-3): 137-45. Epub 2005 Apr20 PTX-B (pertussis toxin RelA phosphorylation and Iordanskiy et al.,Virology. 2002 binding protein) transactivation Oct 10; 302(1): 195-2069-aminoacridine (9AA) RelA phosphorylation and Gurova et al., Proc NatlAcad Sci derivatives (including the transactivation USA. 2005 Novantimalaria drug quinacrine) 29; 102(48): 17448-53. Epub 2005 Nov 15.Adenosine and cyclic AMP Transactivation Majumdar & Aggarwal, Oncogene.2003 Feb 27; 22(8): 1206-18.; Minguet et al., Eur J Immunol. 2005 Jan;35(1): 31-41 17-allylamino-17- Transactivation Rakitina et al., CancerRes. 2003 demethoxygeldanamycin Dec 15; 63(24): 8600-56-aminoquinazoline Transactivation Tobe et al., Bioorg Med Chem.derivatives 2003 Sep 1; 11(18): 3869-78 Luteolin p65 Transactivation Kimet al., Biochem Pharmacol. 2003 Sep 15; 66(6): 955-63 Manassantins A andB p65 Transactivation Lee et al., Biochem Pharmacol. 2003 Nov 15;66(10): 1925-33.; Son et al., Mol Cells. 2005 Aug 31; 20(1): 105-11.Paromyxovirus SH gene Transactivation Wilson et al., J Virol. 2006products Feb; 80(4): 1700-9 Qingkailing and Transactivation Chen et al.,Life Sci. 2002 May Shuanghuanglian (Chinese 3; 70(24): 2897-913.medicinal preparations) Smilax bockii warb extract Transactivation Xu etal., Arch Pharm Res. 2005 (flavenoids) Apr; 28(4): 395-9. Tetracyclic ATransactivation (ROS Turbyville et al., Mol Cancer production) Ther.2005 Oct; 4(10): 1569-76. Tetrathiomolybdate Transactivation Pan et al.,Cancer Res. 2002 Sep 1; 62(17): 4854-9 Trilinolein Transactivation Liuet al., Eur J Pharmacol. 2004 Jan 19; 484(1): 1-8. TroglitazoneTransactivation Ruan et al., J Biol Chem. 2003 Jul 25; 278(30):28181-92. Epub 2003 May 5. Valerenic Transactivation Jacobo-Herrera etal., Phytother acid/acetylvalerenolic acid Res. 2006 Oct; 20(10): 917-9.Witheringia solanacea leaf Transactivation Jacobo-Herrera et al., J NatProd. extracts 2006 Mar; 69(3): 328-31 Wortmannin (fungalTransactivation Reddy et al., J Biol Chem. 1997 metabolite) Nov 14;272(46): 29167-73.; Manna & Aggarwal, FEBS Lett. 2000 May 4; 473(1):113-8. Xia-Bai-San Transactivation Yeh et al., Int Immunopharmacol. 2006Sep; 6(9): 1506-14. Epub 2006 Jun 2. Alpha-zearalenol Transactivation Liet al., Biomed Environ Sci. 2005 Oct; 18(5): 314-20. AntithrombinRelA-p300 interaction Uchiba et al., Thromb Haemost. 2004 Dec; 92(6):1420-7. Extract of the stem bark of NF-κB mRNA expression Leiro et al.,Int Mangifera indica L. Immunopharmacol. 2004 Aug; 4(8): 991-1003Rifampicin Glucocorticoid receptor Yerramesetti et al., J Clinmodulation Immunol. 2002 Jan; 22(1): 37-47. Mangiferin Inhibition ofRelA and Leiro et al., Int RelB expression Immunopharmacol. 2004 Jun;4(6): 763-78

In specific embodiments, the NF-κB pathway inhibitor is an inhibitor ofIκB phosphorylation, such as BAY 11-7082 and BAY-11-7085 (BioMol,Plymouth Meeting, Pa.).

Desirably, the inhibitor of NF-κB function is non-toxic to the host withminimal or negligible side effects. Suitably, the inhibitor of NF-κBblocks the alternate NF-κB pathway, or both the classical and thealternate NF-κB pathways as described for example in paragraph [0008](Martin E et al., Immunity 2003, supra).

2.3 Antigens

Various target antigens exist, which are associated with unwanted ordeleterious immune responses. In accordance with the present invention,an antigen that corresponds to at least a portion of a target antigen isused in combination with an NF-κB inhibitor as described, for example,in Section 2.2 to produce particles as described, for example in Section2.1, for inducing a tolerogenic immune response to the target antigen.Illustrative target antigens include alloantigens and self antigens orpeptide fragments thereof, which are presented in the context of MHC, aswell as soluble proteins and fragments of insoluble complexes,particulate antigens, e.g., bacteria or parasites, and allergens. Thus,exemplary antigens which are useful in the practice of the presentinvention include, but are not limited to, self antigens that aretargets of autoimmune responses, allergens and transplantation antigens.Examples of self antigens include, but are not restricted to, lupusautoantigen, Smith, Ro, La, U1-RNP, fibrillin associated withscleroderma; nuclear antigens, histones, glycoprotein gp70 and ribosomalproteins associated with systemic lupus erythematosus; pyruvatedehydrogenase dehydrolipoamide acetyltransferase (PCD-E2) associatedwith primary biliary cirrhosis; hair follicle antigens associated withalopecia greata; human tropomyosin isoform 5 (hTM5) associated withulcerative colitis; proinsulin, insulin, IA2 and GAD65 associated withinsulin-dependent diabetes; collagen type II, human cartilage gp 39(HCgp39) and gp130-RAPS, dnaJp1, citrullinated proteins and peptidese.g., citrullinated type II collagen, vimentin or fibrinogen associatedwith rheumatoid arthritis; myelin basic protein, proteolipid protein(PLP) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) associated withmultiple sclerosis; thyroid stimulating factor receptor (TSH-R)associated with Graves' disease; acetylcholine receptor (AchR)associated with Myasthenia Gravis; gliadin associated with celiacdisease; histones, PLP, glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, thyroglobulin,various tRNA synthetases, proteinase-3, myeloperoxidase etc. Examples ofallergens include, but are not limited to, Fel d 1 (i.e., the felineskin and salivary gland allergen of the domestic cat Felis domesticus,the amino acid sequence of which is disclosed International PublicationWO 91/06571), Der p I, Der p II, Der fI or Der fII (i.e., the majorprotein allergens from the house dust mite dermatophagoides, the aminoacid sequence of which is disclosed in International Publication WO94/24281). Other allergens may be derived, for example from thefollowing: grass, tree and weed (including ragweed) pollens; fungi andmoulds; foods such as fish, shellfish, crab, lobster, peanuts, nuts,wheat gluten, eggs and milk; stinging insects such as bee, wasp, andhornet and the chirnomidae (non-biting midges); other insects such asthe housefly, fruit fly, sheep blow fly, screw worm fly, grain weevil,silkworm, honeybee, non-biting midge larvae, bee moth larvae, mealworm,cockroach and larvae of Tenibrio molitor beetle; spiders and mites,including the house dust mite; allergens found in the dander, urine,saliva, blood or other bodily fluid of mammals such as cat, dog, cow,pig, sheep, horse, rabbit, rat, guinea pig, mouse and gerbil; airborneparticulates in general; latex; and protein detergent additives.Transplantation antigens can be derived from donor cells or tissues frome.g., heart, lung, liver, pancreas, kidney, neural graft components, orfrom donor antigen-presenting cells bearing MHC loaded with self antigenin the absence of exogenous antigen.

The antigen(s) may be isolated from a natural source or may be preparedby recombinant techniques as is known in the art. For example, peptideantigens can be eluted from the MHC and other presenting molecules ofantigen-presenting cells obtained from a cell population or tissue forwhich a modified immune response is desired, e.g., an allogeneic tissueor cell population in transplantation medicine. The eluted peptides canbe purified using standard protein purification techniques known in theart (Rawson et al., 2000, Cancer Res 60(16), 4493-4498). If desired, thepurified peptides can be sequenced and synthetic versions of thepeptides produced using standard protein synthesis techniques as forexample described below. Alternatively, crude antigen preparations canbe produced by isolating a sample of a cell population or tissue forwhich a modified immune response is desired, and either lysing thesample or subjecting the sample to conditions that will lead to theformation of apoptotic cells (e.g., irradiation with ultra violet orwith gamma rays, viral infection, cytokines or by depriving cells ofnutrients in the cell culture medium, incubation with hydrogen peroxide,or with drugs such as dexamethasone, ceramide chemotherapeutics andanti-hormonal agents such as Lupron or Tamoxifen). The lysate or theapoptotic cells can then be used as a source of crude antigen forcontact with the antigen-presenting cells.

When the antigen is known, it may be conveniently prepared inrecombinant form using standard protocols as for example described in:Sambrook, et al., MOLECULAR CLONING. A LABORATORY MANUAL (Cold SpringHarbor Press, 1989), in particular Sections 16 and 17; Ausubel et al.,CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.1994-1998), in particular Chapters 10 and 16; and Coligan et al.,CURRENT PROTOCOLS IN PROTEIN SCIENCE (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.1995-1997), in particular Chapters 1, 5 and 6. Typically, an antigen maybe prepared by a procedure including the steps of (a) providing anexpression vector from which the target antigen or analogue or mimeticthereof is expressible; (b) introducing the vector into a suitable hostcell; (c) culturing the host cell to express recombinant polypeptidefrom the vector; and (d) isolating the recombinant polypeptide.

Alternatively, the antigen can be synthesised using solution synthesisor solid phase synthesis as described, for example, by Atherton andSheppard (Solid Phase Peptide Synthesis: A Practical Approach, IRL Pressat Oxford University Press, Oxford, England, 1989) or by Roberge et al.(1995, Science 269: 202).

In some embodiments, the antigen is in the form of one or more peptides.Usually, such peptides are at least 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,20, 25, 30 amino acid residues in length and suitably no more than about500, 200, 100, 80, 60, 50, 40 amino acid residues in length. In someembodiments in which two or more peptides are used, the peptides can bein the form of a plurality of contiguous overlapping peptides whosesequences span at least a portion of a target antigen. Suitably, thepeptide sequences are derived from at least about 30, 40, 50, 60, 70,80, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99% of the sequencecorresponding to the target antigen. In some embodiments, each peptideof the plurality of contiguous overlapping peptide fragments can be30-90 amino acids in length, e.g., 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70,73, 75, 80, 81, 85, 86 and 90 amino acids in length. In variousembodiments, the amino acid sequences of contiguous overlapping peptidefragments in the plurality overlap by about 10 to about 15 amino acids,e.g., 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 amino acids. Exemplary methods forproducing such peptide antigens are described, for example, by Astori etal. (2000 J. Immunol. 165, 3497-3505; and references cited therein) andin U.S. Pat. Appl. Pub. No. 2004/0241178. The antigen may be suitablymodified, for example, by lipid modification to modify itsphysico-chemical properties.

2.4 Ancillary Components

In some embodiments the particulate compositions further comprises oneor more immunosuppressive cytokines, which are suitably selected fromIL-1 receptor antagonist, IL-1RII, VEGF, IL-4, IL-10 (human or viral),IL-13, TGF-β and FLT3 ligand or their functional, recombinant orchemical equivalents or homologues thereof.

3. Pharmaceutical Formulations

In accordance with the present invention, one or more NF-κB pathwayinhibitors described in Section 2.2 and one or more antigens describedin Section 2.3 are used to produce particles as described, for examplein Section 2.1, for modifying an immune response, especially forinducing a tolerogenic response including the suppression of a future orexisting immune response, to one or more target antigens. Thesecompositions are useful, therefore, for treating or preventing anundesirable immune response including, for example, transplantrejection, graft versus host disease, allergies, parasitic diseases,inflammatory diseases and autoimmune diseases. Examples of transplantrejection, which can be treated or prevented in accordance with thepresent invention, include rejections associated with transplantation ofbone marrow and of organs such as heart, liver, pancreas, kidney, lung,eye, skin etc. Examples of allergies include seasonal respiratoryallergies; allergy to aeroallergens such as hayfever; allergy treatableby reducing serum IgE and eosinophilia; asthma; eczema; animalallergies, food allergies; latex allergies; dermatitis; or allergiestreatable by allergic desensitisation. Autoimmune diseases that can betreated or prevented by the present invention include, for example,psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus, myasthenia gravis, stiff-mansyndrome, thyroiditis, Sydenham chorea, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetesand multiple sclerosis. Examples of inflammatory disease include Crohn'sdisease, chronic inflammatory eye diseases, chronic inflammatory lungdiseases and chronic inflammatory liver diseases, autoimmune haemolyticanaemia, idiopathic leucopoenia, ulcerative colitis, dermatomyositis,scleroderma, mixed connective tissue disease, irritable bowel syndrome,systemic lupus erythromatosus (SLE), multiple sclerosis, myastheniagravis, Guillan-Barre syndrome (antiphospholipid syndrome), primarymyxoedema, thyrotoxicosis, pernicious anaemia, autoimmune atrophicgastris, Addison's disease, insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM),Goodpasture's syndrome, Behcet's syndrome, Sjogren's syndrome,rheumatoid arthritis, sympathetic ophthalmia, Hashimoto'sdisease/hypothyroiditis, celiac disease/dermatitis herpetiformis, anddemyelinating disease primary biliary cirrhosis, mixed connective tissuedisease, chronic active hepatitis, Graves' disease/hyperthyroiditis,scleroderma, chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, diabeticneuropathy and septic shock. Other unwanted immune reactions that canalso be treated or prevented by the present invention include antibodiesto recombinant therapeutic agents such as anti-factor VIII antibodies inhemophilia or anti-insulin antibodies in diabetes.

The above compositions are, therefore, useful for treating or preventingan unwanted or deleterious immune response in a patient, which comprisesadministering to the patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising anNF-κB pathway inhibitor and an antigen that corresponds to a targetantigen, in particulate form, in amounts that are effective to reduce orsuppress the immune response to the target antigen. The pharmaceuticalcomposition may comprise a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier ordiluent. In some embodiments, the compositions are administered toindividuals having the unwanted or deleterious immune response. In otherembodiments, the compositions are administered to at-risk individualswho are autoantibody positive and/or HLA haplotype identified at riske.g., Type 1 diabetes first degree relatives with at least one anddesirably two or more autoantibodies positive (see, e.g., Scofield, R.H., 2004. Lancet 363, 1544; Berglin et al., 2004, Arthritis Res Ther 6,R30336; Harrison et al., 2004, Diabetes Care 27, 2348), or individualsat risk of rheumatoid arthritis, with one or two HLA susceptibilitygenes and positive anti-CCP antibodies (Klarskog et al. 2006, ArthritisRheum. 54: 38) (Rantapaa-Dahlqvist S et al. 2003, Arthritis Rheum.48:2741).

Pharmaceutical compositions suitable for use in the present inventioninclude compositions wherein the bioactive agents (i.e., the NF-κBpathway inhibitor and the antigen) are contained in an effective amountto achieve their intended purpose. The dose of active compoundsadministered to a patient should be sufficient to achieve a beneficialresponse in the patient over time such as a reduction in at least onesymptom associated with the unwanted or deleterious immune response,which is suitably associated with a condition selected from an allergy,an autoimmune disease and a transplant rejection. The quantity or dosefrequency of the pharmaceutically active compounds(s) to be administeredmay depend on the subject to be treated inclusive of the age, sex,weight and general health condition thereof. In this regard, preciseamounts of the active compound(s) for administration will depend on thejudgement of the practitioner. In determining the effective amount ofthe active compound(s) to be administered in the treatment orprophylaxis of the unwanted or deleterious immune response, thepractitioner may evaluate inflammation, pro-inflammatory cytokinelevels, lymphocyte proliferation, cytolytic T lymphocyte activity andregulatory T lymphocyte function. In any event, those of skill in theart may readily determine suitable dosages of the antagonist andantigen.

Accordingly, the particles are administered to a subject to be treatedin a manner compatible with the dosage formulation, and in an amountthat will be prophylactically and/or therapeutically effective. Theamount of the composition to be delivered, generally in the range offrom 0.01 μg/kg to 100 μg/kg of bioactive molecule (e.g., antigen orinhibitor) per dose, depends on the subject to be treated. In someembodiments, and dependent on the intended mode of administration, theNF-κB pathway inhibitor-containing compositions will generally containabout 0.1% to 90%, about 0.5% to 50%, or about 1% to about 25%, byweight of the inhibitor, the remainder being suitable pharmaceuticalcarriers and/or diluents etc and the antigen. The dosage of theinhibitor can depend on a variety of factors, such as mode ofadministration, the species of the affected subject, age and/orindividual condition. In other embodiments, and dependent on theintended mode of administration, the antigen-containing compositionswill generally contain about 0.1% to 90%, about 0.5% to 50%, or about 1%to about 25%, by weight of antigen, the remainder being suitablepharmaceutical carriers and/or diluents etc and NF-κB pathway inhibitor.

Depending on the specific condition being treated, the particles may beformulated and administered systemically, topically or locally.Techniques for formulation and administration may be found in“Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences,” Mack Publishing Co., Easton, Pa.,latest edition. Suitable routes may, for example, include oral, rectal,transmucosal, or intestinal administration; parenteral delivery,including intramuscular, subcutaneous, transcutaneous, intradermal,intramedullary delivery (e.g., injection), as well as intrathecal,direct intraventricular, intravenous, intraperitoneal, intranasal, orintraocular delivery (e.g., injection). For injection, the particles ofthe invention may be formulated in aqueous solutions, suitably inphysiologically compatible buffers such as Hanks' solution, Ringer'ssolution, or physiological saline buffer. For transmucosaladministration, penetrants appropriate to the barrier to be permeatedare used in the formulation. Such penetrants are generally known in theart.

The compositions of the present invention may be formulated foradministration in the form of liquids, containing acceptable diluents(such as saline and sterile water), or may be in the form of lotions,creams or gels containing acceptable diluents or carriers to impart thedesired texture, consistency, viscosity and appearance. Acceptablediluents and carriers are familiar to those skilled in the art andinclude, but are not restricted to, ethoxylated and nonethoxylatedsurfactants, fatty alcohols, fatty acids, hydrocarbon oils (such as palmoil, coconut oil, and mineral oil), cocoa butter waxes, silicon oils, pHbalancers, cellulose derivatives, emulsifying agents such as non-ionicorganic and inorganic bases, preserving agents, wax esters, steroidalcohols, triglyceride esters, phospholipids such as lecithin andcephalin, polyhydric alcohol esters, fatty alcohol esters, hydrophiliclanolin derivatives, and hydrophilic beeswax derivatives.

Alternatively, the particles of the present invention can be formulatedreadily using pharmaceutically acceptable carriers well known in the artinto dosages suitable for oral administration, which is also preferredfor the practice of the present invention. Such carriers enable thecompounds of the invention to be formulated in dosage forms such astablets, pills, capsules, liquids, gels, syrups, slurries, suspensionsand the like, for oral ingestion by a patient to be treated. Thesecarriers may be selected from sugars, starches, cellulose and itsderivatives, malt, gelatine, talc, calcium sulphate, vegetable oils,synthetic oils, polyols, alginic acid, phosphate buffered solutions,emulsifiers, isotonic saline, and pyrogen-free water.

Pharmaceutical formulations for parenteral administration includeaqueous solutions of the particles in water-soluble form. Additionally,suspensions of the particles may be prepared as appropriate oilyinjection suspensions. Suitable lipophilic solvents or vehicles includefatty oils such as sesame oil, or synthetic fatty acid esters, such asethyl oleate or triglycerides. Aqueous injection suspensions may containsubstances that increase the viscosity of the suspension, such as sodiumcarboxymethyl cellulose, sorbitol, or dextran. Optionally, thesuspension may also contain suitable stabilisers or agents that increasethe solubility of the compounds to allow for the preparation of highlyconcentrated solutions.

Pharmaceutical preparations for oral use can be obtained by combiningthe particles with solid excipients and processing the mixture ofgranules, after adding suitable auxiliaries, if desired, to obtaintablets or dragee cores. Suitable excipients are, in particular, fillerssuch as sugars, including lactose, sucrose, mannitol, or sorbitol;cellulose preparations such as, for example, maize starch, wheat starch,rice starch, potato starch, gelatine, gum tragacanth, methyl cellulose,hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, and/orpolyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). If desired, disintegrating agents may beadded, such as the cross-linked polyvinyl pyrrolidone, agar, or alginicacid or a salt thereof such as sodium alginate. Such compositions may beprepared by any of the methods of pharmacy but all methods include thestep of bringing into association one or more therapeutic agents asdescribed above with the carrier which constitutes one or more necessaryingredients. In general, the pharmaceutical compositions of the presentinvention may be manufactured in a manner that is itself known, eg. bymeans of conventional mixing, dissolving, granulating, dragee-making,levigating, emulsifying, encapsulating, entrapping or lyophilizingprocesses.

Dragee cores are provided with suitable coatings. For this purpose,concentrated sugar solutions may be used, which may optionally containgum arabic, talc, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, carbopol gel, polyethyleneglycol, and/or titanium dioxide, lacquer solutions, and suitable organicsolvents or solvent mixtures. Dyestuffs or pigments may be added to thetablets or dragee coatings for identification or to characterisedifferent combinations of particle doses.

Pharmaceuticals which can be used orally include push-fit capsules madeof gelatin, as well as soft, sealed capsules made of gelatin and aplasticizer, such as glycerol or sorbitol. The push-fit capsules cancontain the active ingredients in admixture with filler such as lactose,binders such as starches, and/or lubricants such as talc or magnesiumstearate and, optionally, stabilizers. In soft capsules, the activecompounds may be dissolved or suspended in suitable liquids, such asfatty oils, liquid paraffin, or liquid polyethylene glycols. Inaddition, stabilizers may be added.

The particles of the invention may be administered over a period ofhours, days, weeks, or months, depending on several factors, includingthe severity of the neuropathic condition being treated, whether arecurrence of the condition is considered likely, etc. Theadministration may be constant, e.g., constant infusion over a period ofhours, days, weeks, months, etc. Alternatively, the administration maybe intermittent, e.g., particles may be administered once a day over aperiod of days, once an hour over a period of hours, or any other suchschedule as deemed suitable.

The compositions of the present invention may also be administered tothe respiratory tract as a nasal or pulmonary inhalation aerosol orsolution for a nebulizer, or as a microfine powder for insufflation,alone or in combination with an inert carrier such as lactose, or withother pharmaceutically acceptable excipients. In such a case, theparticles of the formulation may advantageously have diameters of lessthan 50 μm, suitably less than 10 μm.

In some embodiments, the particles are administered for active uptake bycells, for example by phagocytosis, as described for example in U.S.Pat. No. 5,783,567 (Pangaea). In some embodiments, phagocytosis by thesecells may be improved by maintaining a particle size typically belowabout 20 μm, and preferably below about 11 μm.

In specific embodiments, the particles are delivered directly into thebloodstream (i.e., by intravenous or intra-arterial injection orinfusion) if uptake by the phagocytic cells of the reticuloendothelialsystem (RES), including liver and spleen, is desired. Alternatively, onecan target, via subcutaneous injection, take-up by the phagocytic cellsof the draining lymph nodes. The particles can also be introducedintradermally (i.e., to the APCs of the skin, such as dendritic cellsand Langerhans cells) for example using ballistic or microneedledelivery. Illustrative particle-mediated delivery techniques includeexplosive, electric or gaseous discharge delivery to propel carrierparticles toward target cells as described, for example, in U.S. Pat.Nos. 4,945,050, 5,120,657, 5,149,655 and 5,630,796. Non-limitingexamples of microneedle delivery are disclosed in InternationalPublication Nos. WO 2005/069736 and WO 2005/072630 and U.S. Pat. Nos.6,503,231 and 5,457,041.

Another useful route of delivery (particularly for DNAs encodingtolerance-inducing polypeptides) is via the gastrointestinal tract,e.g., orally. Alternatively, the particles can be introduced into organssuch as the lung (e.g., by inhalation of powdered microparticles or of anebulized or aerosolized solution containing the microparticles), wherethe particles are picked up by the alveolar macrophages, or may beadministered intranasally or buccally. Once a phagocytic cellphagocytoses the particle, the NF-κB pathway inhibitor and antigen arereleased into the interior of the cell.

Accordingly, the present invention provides for the induction oftolerance or anergy to an antigen that is associated with an unwanted ordeleterious immune response including without limitation autoimmunediseases, allergies and transplantation associated diseases. In someembodiments, therefore, the present invention provides for the inductionof tolerance to an autoantigen for the treatment of autoimmune diseasesby administering the antigen for which tolerance is desired along withan NF-κB inhibitor, wherein the antigen and NF-κB inhibitor are inparticulate form. In an illustrative example of this type,autoantibodies directed against the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) areobserved in patients with Myasthenia gravis, and, accordingly,AchR-antigen or antigen-expressing vectors in particulate form may beused in the invention to be delivered in conjunction with an NF-κBinhibitor in particulate form to treat and/or prevent Myasthenia gravis.

In still other embodiments, an individual who is a candidate for atransplant from a non-identical twin may suffer from rejection of theengrafted cells, tissues or organs, as the engrafted antigens areforeign to the recipient. Prior tolerance of the recipient individual tothe intended graft abrogates or reduces later rejection. Reduction orelimination of chronic anti-rejection therapies may be achieved byadministering concurrently to the recipient of the transplant one ormore transplantation antigens in particulate form and an NF-κB inhibitorin particulate form.

In further embodiments, sensitization of an individual to an industrialpollutant or chemical, such as may be encountered on-the-job, presents ahazard of an immune response. Prior tolerance of the individual's immunesystem to the chemical may be desirable to prevent the lateroccupational development of an immune response. In these cases, it isgenerally desirable to administer concurrently to the individual aparticulate form of the chemical reacted with the individual'sendogenous proteins, together with an NF-κB inhibitor in particulateform.

Notably, even in diseases where the pathogenic autoantigen is unknown,bystander suppression may be induced using particulate forms of antigenspresent in the anatomical vicinity of the pathogenesis and an NF-κBinhibitor in particulate form. For example, autoantibodies to collagenare observed in rheumatoid arthritis and, accordingly, collagen or acollagen-encoding gene (see e.g. Choy (2000) Curr Opin Investig Drugs 1:58-62) in particulate form may be utilized, together with an NF-κBinhibitor in particulate form in order to treat rheumatoid arthritis.Furthermore, tolerance to beta cell autoantigens may be utilized toprevent development of type 1 diabetes (see e.g. Bach and Chatenoud(2001) Ann Rev Immunol 19: 131-161) in a similar manner.

As another example, auto-antibodies directed against myelinoligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) are observed in autoimmuneencephalomyelitis and in many other CNS diseases as well as multiplesclerosis (see e.g. Iglesias et al. (2001) Glia 36: 22-34). Accordingly,co-delivery of a particulate form of MOG antigen or MOGantigen-expressing constructs with an NF-κB inhibitor in particulateform allows for treatment or prevention of multiple sclerosis as well asrelated autoimmune disorders of the central nervous system.

In order that the invention may be readily understood and put intopractical effect, particular preferred embodiments will now be describedby way of the following non-limiting examples.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Antigen-Specific Suppression of Arthritis byLiposomes Materials and Methods Reagents

Fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC), ovalbumin (OVA), methylated bovineserum albumin (mBSA) and were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich (Missouri,USA). Penicillin, streptomycin, L-glutamine, sodium pyruvate and2-mercaptoethanol were purchased from Gibco® Invitrogen (California,USA). Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) was obtained from Sigma-Aldrich(Missouri, USA). carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE)was obtained from Molecular Probes (Oregon, USA). KJ1-26 antibodylabelled with phycoerythrin (PE) was purchased from BD Pharmingen(California, USA). Anti-mouse-MHC II-FITC was purchased from Biolegend(California, USA). CD4 epitope of OVA (sequence 323-339) was obtainedfrom Auspep (Victoria, Australia). All other reagents were of at leastanalytical grade.

Mice

Male C57/B16 and BALB/c mice were obtained from ARC and the OVA-specificTCR-transgenic strain, DO11.10 on the BALB/c background, was bred atUniversity of Queensland. CFSE was from Molecular Probes (Eugene,Oreg.).

Conjugation of Fluorescein Isothiocyanate to Ovalbumin

Fifty mg of FITC was dissolved in 50 mL of carbonate buffer (pH 9.5,0.22 mol/L) with 500 mg of OVA. The mixture was gently stirred andallowed to react in the dark at room temperature for 1 hour andsubsequently kept at 4° C. overnight. Buffer salts and unbound FITC wereremoved from the conjugated protein by repeated dilution with water andultrafiltration using a 10,000 molecular weight cut-off membrane(Millipore, Massachusetts, USA) using a 400 mL ultrafiltration cell(Millipore, Massachusetts, USA) pressurized with nitrogen gas to 200kPa. The resulting FITC-ovalbumin (FITC-OVA) solution was frozen in anacetone-dry ice bath and lyophilized (Alpha 2-4 LD Freeze-drier, MartinChrist, Germany). Degree of conjugation was confirmed by centrifugationa sample of the lyophilised protein solution at 10,000 g for 20 minutes(EBA 12R centrifuge, Hettich Zentrifugen, Germany), through a 10,000molecular weight cut off filter unit (Millipore, Massachusetts, USA).Unbound FITC contributed less than 1% of total fluorescence in allcases. The conjugated protein was then stored and protected from lightat 4° C. until required.

Liposome Preparation and Composition

Liposomes were prepared by conventional thin film method. Briefly, 100mg egg phosphatidylcholine (EPC) and 0.35, 1.42 and 1.75 mg of Bay11-7082, Quecertin or Curcumin respectively (or other quantities ofinhibitor as required) were dissolved together in 10 mL ofchloroform/ethanol solvent mixture (9:1 v/v) in a 250 mL round bottomedflask. The lipid solution was dried in a rotary evaporator under vacuumat 40° C. for 30 minutes to produce a thin lipid film. Lipid films werethen stored under vacuum for a further 30 minutes to remove any residualsolvent (Alpha 2-4 LD Freeze-drier, Martin Christ, Germany). Two mL ofovalbumin or mBSA at a concentration of 10 mg/ml in pH 7.4 HEPES bufferwas then added and shaken by hand at room temperature to producemultilamellar vesicles. In some experiments, 2 mL of FITC-OVA at theconcentration of 10 mg/mL were used. Liposome dispersions were allowedto stand at room temperature for a further 2 hours to complete theswelling process. Crude liposome suspensions were then frozen in anacetone dry-ice bath and thawed in a water bath at a temperature of 40°C. This freeze-thawing cycle was repeated 5 times to increase entrapmentof protein.

For liposome loaded with ovalbumin, liposomes were reduced in size andlamellarity by 5 cycles of high-pressure extrusion through 800 nmpolycarbonate membrane (Nucleopore Corp., CA, USA) and then 5 cyclesthrough 400 nm polycarbonate membrane (Nucleopore Corp., CA, USA) usinga 10 mL extruder (Lipex Extruder, Northern Lipids Inc, Vancouver,Canada) pressurized with nitrogen gas. For liposome loaded with mBSA,liposomes were extruded 10 times through a 400 nm membrane. Liposomeswere left at room temperature for at least 2 hours in order to allow theannealing process to complete before being further used. Fluorescentlabelling of liposomes was accomplished when required by adding 15 μL ofan ethanolic solution of DiI at a concentration of 10 mg/ml to the finalliposome preparation.

Removal of non-entrapped NF-κB inhibitors and antigens was effected bydiluting liposomes in HEPES buffer followed by ultracentrifugation usingan Optima™ TLX Tabletop ultracentrifuge (Beckman Coulter, USA) at100,000 g (4° C., 45 min). Liposome pellets were re-dispersed in HEPESbuffer prior to use. Entrapment efficiency of protein following thisprocess was typically at least 20%, approximately 60% for Bay andgreater than 80% for both Quecertin and Curcumin. Empty, NF-κB inhibitoror protein only liposomes were prepared as above, by omitting therelevant bioactive/s.

Protein antigens as described above can be substituted by peptideepitopes of antigenic proteins and these can be efficiently encapsulatedwithin liposomes by lipid modification and hydration of freeze driedmonophase systems as described by Liang et al. (2005, Int. J. Pharm.301: 247-254).

Detection of Liposomes by Flow Cytometry and ImmunofluorescenceMicroscopy

Twenty four hours after subcutaneous (s.c.), intravenous (i.v.) orintraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of DiI-labelled liposomes or noinjection, spleen and draining lymph nodes were removed. One portion wasfrozen in OCT and subjected to immunofluorescence microscopy. Cells werepurified from the remaining portion, stained with FITC-conjugatedanti-I-A mAb, and analyzed by flow cytometry.

Bone Marrow Derived DC Preparation and Administration

Bone marrow cells were collected and suspended from murine long bones,passed through nylon mesh, and mononuclear cells separated by ficollgradient centrifugation. Macrophages, class II+ cells and lymphocyteswere immunodepleted using appropriate mAb followed by magnetic beads(MACS, Miltenyi Biotec, CA). BM cells were incubated for 6-8d inXCe11620 (CSL) medium supplemented with 10 ng/ml each GM-CSF and IL-4(Peprotech, Rocky Hill, N.J.), with fresh medium was applied onalternate days. DC preparations routinely contained 80-90% CD11c+ cells.Bay-treated DC were cultured continuously in the presence ofapproximately 5 μM BAY 11-7082 (Bay, BioMol, Plymouth Meeting, Pa.) thenexposed to 100 μM mBSA (Sigma) for 24 h before washing and suspension innormal saline. 5×105 Bay-treated DC were administered s.c. in the tailbase 6 days after the induction of arthritis. Liposomes were suspendedat 10 mg/mL, and 100 μL were administered either i.v. or s.c. to thetail base 6 days after the induction of arthritis. In some experimentseither 50 μg soluble mBSA or 10 μg Bay solution, were injected s.c. inthe tail base, adjacent to the site of liposome injection.

Characterization of Liposome Formulations Entrapping NF-κB Inhibitor andModel Antigen Entrapment Efficiency of NF-κB Inhibitor and Antigen inLiposomes (% EE)

Following removal of non-entrapped NF-κB inhibitor and antigen, theamount of NF-κB inhibitor and antigen entrapped in liposome could bequantified by assay method. The entrapment efficiency was expressed as:

${\% \mspace{14mu} {EE}} = {\frac{{Amount}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {drug}\mspace{14mu} {in}\mspace{14mu} {liposome}}{{Amount}\mspace{14mu} {of}\mspace{14mu} {drug}\mspace{14mu} {initially}\mspace{14mu} {added}} \times 100}$

Assay of NF-κB Inhibitor

For Bay 11-7082, liposomes were lysed by addition of ethanol at 20-folddilution which was required for protein precipitation. The resultingsolution was then kept at −20° C. After 30 minutes, the sample wascentrifuged at maximum speed at 4° C. for 10 minutes (EBA 12Rcentrifuge, Hettich Zentrifugen, Germany) to remove precipitatedprotein. The concentration of Bay 11-7082 in the resulting supernatantwas then assayed and calculated based on the established calibration(with consideration to the dilutions performed) (data not shown). Forquercetin and curcumin, liposomes were lysed by addition of 5% w/vtriton X-100 in PBS pH 6.5. The concentration of either quercetin orcurcumin in the resulting solution was then assayed and calculated basedon the established calibration curves (with consideration to thedilutions performed). Validation of assay showed that there was nosignificant interference from antigen on the developed quantitativeassay of each NF-κB inhibitor.

Assay of Model Antigen

The quantity of model antigen entrapped in liposomes was determined by astandard bicinchoninic acid (BCA) protein assay with slightmodification. Briefly, liposomes loaded with OVA or mBSA were lysedusing ethanol or iso-propanol at 20-fold dilution, respectively, andthen stored at −20° C. After 30 minutes, the sample was centrifuged atmaximum speed at 4° C. for 10 minutes (EBA 12R centrifuge, HettichZentrifugen, Germany). The supernatant containing lipid and NF-κBinhibitor was discarded. The protein pellet was then placed in an Alpha2-4 LD Freeze-drier (Alpha 2-4 LD Freeze-drier, Martin Christ, Germany)to remove remaining solvent. One hundred μL of 2.5% w/v sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) solution (for OVA) or water (for mBSA) was added toredissolve the protein pellet. SDS was required for aiding tore-dissolve OVA pellet. The resulting protein solution was mixed with 2mL of BCA solution (Pierce Biotechnology Inc., USA) and incubated at 37°C. for 30 minutes. After incubation, the absorbance of the solution wasmeasured using a Cary 50 UV-VIS spectrophotometer (Varian, California,USA) at a wavelength of 562 nm. The concentration of OVA and mBSA wascalculated on the basis of calibration curves established using a seriesof known concentrations of either OVA or mBSA solution ranging from 0.25mg/mL to 2 mg/mL.

Particle Size and Zeta Potential

The size distribution and zeta potential of the extruded and washedliposomal dispersions were determined, following dilution in HEPESbuffer pH 7.4, by photon correlation spectroscopy andmicro-electrophoresis, respectively (Zetasizer 3000, Malvern, UK).

Stability of Liposomal Formulation

Liposomal samples prepared were kept at 4° C. (usual short-term storageconditions) and particle size and the polydispersity index weremonitored over 7 days by correlation spectroscopy.

Retention of Antigen Entrapped in Liposomes Containing Different NF-κBInhibitors

The retention of antigen within liposomes was investigated usingFITC-OVA. Liposome formulations were prepared. The liposome dispersionwas diluted with HEPES pH 7.4 buffer or HEPES pH 7.4 buffer containing10% FBS to obtain a dilution factor of 1:20. The diluted dispersionswere stirred and incubated at 37° C. At defined time points, aliquotswere removed from the diluted dispersion and ultracentrifuged (100,000g, 45 minutes, 4° C., Optima™ TLX Tabletop ultracentrifuge, BeckmanCoulter, USA) to separate released FITC-OVA from liposomes. 0.6 mL of 5%w/v triton X-100 in PBS pH 6.5 was added to 0.4 mL of supernatantcontaining release FITC-OVA following dilution with 3 mL HEPES buffer pH7.4. The resulting solution was then analysed the fluorescent intensityby fluorescence spectrophotometry at excitation wavelength of 492 nm andemission wavelength of 518 nm (RF-1501 spectrofluorophotometer,Shimadzu, Japan) and compared to fluorescent intensity of total FITC-OVAentrapped in liposomes treated with the same condition but withoutseparation of release from entrapped FITC-OVA.

NF-κB Activity in Mice Treated with Liposomes Containing NF-κB Inhibitor

NF-κB inhibitor loaded liposomes were prepared. Groups of C57BL/6 mice(n=3) were injected subcutaneously at the tail base with a 50 μL ofliposome formulations containing NF-κB inhibitors including Bay 11-7082,quercetin and curcumin with final concentrations of 0.5, 2 and 2 mM,respectively. Control mice received sc injections of empty liposomes.After 24 hours, ILN were removed and pressed through a 70 μm cellstrainer. Cells were washed and resuspended at a concentration of 2×10⁶cells/mL in RPMI+10% FCS supplemented with 100 μg/mL penicillin, 100μg/mL streptomycin, 10 mM sodium pyruvate, 20 mM HEPES, 2 mM L-glutamineand 50 μM 2-mercaptoethanol (complete RPMI). Cells were then incubatedwith or without 100 ng/mL of LPS. After 24 hours incubation, nuclearextracts were prepared as previously described (Pettit, A. R., C. Quinn,K. P. MacDonald, L. L. Cavanagh, G. Thomas, W. Townsend, M. Handel, andR. Thomas. 1997. Nuclear localization of RelB is associated witheffective antigen-presenting cell function. J Immunol 159:3681-3691).

Briefly, cells (2×10⁶ cells) were harvested, washed and resuspended in400 μL of ice cold 10 mM HEPES buffer pH 7.9 containing 10 mM potassiumchloride (KCl), 0.1 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), 0.1 mMethylene glycol-bis(-aminoethylether)-N,N,N,N-tetra-acetic acid (EGTA),0.1 mM dithiothreitol (DTT), 0.5 mM phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride (PMSF)and 1% v/v protease inhibitor cocktail. The cells were incubated on icefor 15 minutes, followed by the addition of 25 μL of cold 10% NonidetP-40 (Sigma, USA) and 10 seconds of vigorous stirring using a bench topvortex. The homogenate was centrifuged at 10,000 rpm for 30 seconds at4° C. (Mikro 20, Hettich Zentrifugen, Germany) and the supernatantcontaining the cytoplasmic fraction was discarded. The nuclear pelletwas then resuspended in 50 μL of ice cold buffer 20 mM HEPES pH 7.9containing 0.4 M Sodium Chloride (NaCl), 1 mM EDTA, 1 mM EGTA, 0.1 mMDTT, 1 mM PMSF and 1% v/v protease inhibitor cocktail. The tube wasvigorously rocked at 4° C. for 15 minutes followed by centrifugation at12,000 rpm for 5 minutes at 4° C. (Mikro 20, Hettich Zentrifugen,Germany). The supernatant was collected as the nuclear fraction andstored at −70° C. until required. The protease inhibitor cocktail was amixture of aprotinin, leupeptin and pepstatin-A supplied as a tablet(Complete Mini Tablet™, Roche Diagnostics, Switzerland) and preparedfollowing the manufacturer's instructions. P50/NF-κB DNA binding wasdetected by ELISA using BD Transfactor Family Colorimetric kit for NF-κB(BD Biosciences) following the manufacturer's instructions. Theresulting color was detected by a Multiskan plate reader (Labsystems,Illinois, USA).

Induction of Specific Tolerance Following In Vivo Administration ofLiposomes Co-Entrapping NF-κB Inhibitor and Antigen: Ova-Specific T-CellModel Stimulation of OVA-Specific T-Cells by Liposomes Co-Entrapping OVAand NF-κB Inhibitor

Spleen and ILN were harvested from naïve DO11.10 mice (OVA-specific TCRtransgenic mice) and pressed through a 70 μm cell strainer. Cells weresuspended at 1×10⁷ cell/mL in warm PBS and mixed with an equal volume of10 μM CFSE and incubated for 10 minutes at 37° C. The cells in CFSEsolution were washed twice with ice cold RPMI+10% FCS by centrifuging at450×g for 5 minutes at 4° C., and resuspended at a density of 2.5×10⁷cells/mL. Two hundred μL of cell suspension was intravenously injectedinto recipient BALB/c mice via the tail vein. After 24 hours, 50 μL ofliposome formulations entrapping OVA and NF-κB inhibitor weresubcutaneously injected at the tail base (formulations reported in Table1). Empty liposomes, OVA-liposomes and OVA in CFA were used as controls.ILN were removed 72 hours post-injection, and processed into single cellsuspensions. Cells were then stained with KJ1-26-PE antibody (specificfor DO11.10 cells) for flow cytometry analysis.

Effect of NF-κB Inhibitor Co-Entrapped with OVA in Liposomes onOva-Specific T-Cell Activity after Restimulation with OVA PeptideAntigen

Spleen and ILN were harvested from naïve DO11.10 mice and pressedthrough a 70 μm cell strainer. Two hundred μL cell suspension at adensity of 2.5×10⁷ cells/mL was injected intravenously into recipientBALB/c mice via the tail vein. Twenty four hours after transfer, micewere primed with OVA in CFA by subcutaneous injection at the tail base.7 days later, mice were injected subcutaneously at the tail base with 50μL of liposome formulations co-entrapping OVA and NF-κB inhibitor (Table4). ILN were removed 7 days post-injection and processed into a singlecell suspension. T-cells were enriched by passing through a nylon woolcolumn and then washed by centrifuging at 450×g for 5 minutes. T-cellswere resuspended at a concentration of 2×10⁶ cells/mL in complete RPMI.One hundred μL of T-cell suspension was cultured in round-bottom 96-wellmicrotiter plates (Techno Plastic Products, Switzerland) andrestimulated with CD11c⁺ cells purified from spleens of naïve mice bypositive immuno-selection using CD11c⁺ microbeads and LS columns(Miltenyi, Germany). OVA peptide at a concentration ranging from 0-2000ng/mL was added to the wells containing T-cells to obtain a finalconcentration of peptide from 0-1000 ng/mL and a final volume of 200 μL.Plates were incubated at 37° C. and 5% CO₂ for 3 days. T-cellproliferation was measured by the uptake of [³H]-thymidine which wasadded for the final 18 hours of culture. The cells were then collectedonto glass fiber filter paper with an automated 96-well harvester(Packard Instruments, Connecticut, USA). [³H]-thymidine incorporationwas determined by liquid scintillation counting using a TopCount NXTscintillation counter (Packard Instruments, Connecticut, USA).Proliferation was reported as the mean cpm±SEM of triplicate wells.

TABLE 4 Composition of liposomes co-entrapping OVA and NF-κB inhibitorsCompositions Bay11-7082 Quercetin Curcumin in liposomal OVA OVA OVA OVAformulations* liposome liposome liposome liposome OVA (mg/mL) 2 2 2 2NF-kB inhibitor (mM) — 0.5 2 2 *The average final concentrations of OVAand NF-kB in liposomes prepared from 100 mg of EPC after free drugs wereremoved and re-dispersed in 2 mL of HEPES pH 7.4.

Induction of Specific Tolerance Following In Vivo Administration ofLiposomes Co-Entrapping NF-κB Inhibitor and Antigen: Antigen-InducedArthritis (AIA) Model

Twenty one days before arthritis induction, C57BL/6 mice were immunizedin each axilla by intradermal injection with 100 μg mBSA in 50 μLsaline, emulsified in 50 μL CFA. Simultaneously, 400 ng of pertussistoxin in 200 μL saline was intraperitoneally injected. 7 days later, abooster dose of 100 μg mBSA in 50 μL saline, emulsified in 50 μL CFA wassubcutaneously injected at the tail base. At day 21, arthritis wasinduced by intra-articular injection of 60 μg mBSA in 10 μL saline intothe right knee joint cavity, while the left knee joint was treated with10 μL of saline as control. At day 27, each group of mice (n=10) wassubcutaneously injected with 50 μL of various liposomal formulations(Table 5) at the tail base. Untreated mice and mice receiving 50 μLempty liposomes were used as controls.

TABLE 5 Composition of liposomes co-entrapping mBSA and NF-κB inhibitorsCompositions in Bay 11-7082 Quercetin Curcumin liposomal mBSA mBSA mBSAmBSA formulations* liposome liposome liposome liposome mBSA (mg/mL) 2.52.5 2.5 2.5 NF-kB inhibitor (mM) — 0.5 2 2 *The average finalconcentrations of mBSA and NF-kB in liposomes prepared from 100 mg ofEPC after free drugs were removed and re-dispersed in 2 mL of HEPES pH7.4.

In separate experiments, groups of mice were injected subcutaneouslywith 50 μL of curcumin-OVA liposomes (composition specified in Table 1),50 μl, of curcumin-mBSA liposomes (composition specified in Table 5) or50 μL of curcumin encapsulated within liposomes (no antigen)administered concurrently with 50 μL of mBSA solution at concentrationof 2.5 mg/mL. From the day of arthritis induction, knee joint swellingwas measured in each mouse every 3-4 days for up to 13 days with avernier calliper (Mitutoyo corp, Japan), and expressed as a percentagebased on the difference between the diameter of the right and the leftknee joint, where the maximum difference between two knees in each mousewas equal to 100%. At day 33, mice were killed by cervical dislocation,and skin on the knees was removed. The severity of knee joint swellingwas compared between knees injected with antigen and saline, andexpressed as a clinical score. The score was rated from 1 to 5 where1=no change between saline and antigen knees, 2=slight discoloration ofjoint, 3=discoloration of joint and mild lateral swelling anddiscoloration, 4=discoloration of joint and moderate lateral swellingand discoloration and 5=severe discoloration of joint to the point wherethe ligament is no longer visible and severe lateral swelling anddiscoloration.

Statistical Analysis

Significant differences between groups of data reported in this chapterwere determined by either unpaired Student's t-test (where twocomparisons were being made) or Analysis of Variance (where multiplecomparisons were being made). A value of p of less than 0.05 wasconsidered to indicate significant difference.

Results Liposomes are Taken Up by MHC Class II+ Phagocytic Cells inLymphoid Organs and Present Antigen to Specific T Cells

The distribution of liposome in vivo is influenced by route ofadministration, particle size and lipid composition (Oussoren, C., andG. Storm. 2001. Liposomes to target the lymphatics by subcutaneousadministration. Adv Drug Deliv Rev 50:143-156). To date, intravenous(i.v.) and subcutaneous (s.c.) injections have been extensivelyinvestigated as routes of administration of liposomes for vaccination.Liposomes administered by i.v. injection are delivered to various organssystemically, and typically rapidly accumulate in liver and spleen,while those injected subcutaneously are retained at the injection siteand are captured by infiltrating antigen presenting cells which thenmigrate to regional draining lymph nodes, or are able to access residentlymph node APCs directly through the skin draining lymphatics (Oussoren,C., M. Velinova, G. Scherphof, J. J. van der Want, N. van Rooijen, andG. Storm. 1998. Lymphatic uptake and biodistribution of liposomes aftersubcutaneous injection. IV. Fate of liposomes in regional lymph nodes.Biochim Biophys Acta 1370:259-272; Metselaar, J. M., M. H. Wauben, J. P.Wagenaar-Hilbers, O. C. Boerman, and G. Storm. 2003. Complete remissionof experimental arthritis by joint targeting of glucocorticoids withlong-circulating liposomes. Arthritis Rheum 48:2059-2066; Allen, T. M.,C. B. Hansen, and L. S. Guo. 1993. Subcutaneous administration ofliposomes: a comparison with the intravenous and intraperitoneal routesof injection. Biochim Biophys Acta 1150:9-16). Coating the liposomesurface with a hydrophilic polymer such as polyethyleneglycol has beenfound to avoid the rapid uptake of liposomes by the liver, prolongingthe circulation time of liposomes in the blood stream (Torchilin, V. P.2005. Recent advances with liposomes as pharmaceutical carriers. Nat RevDrug Discov 4:145-160).

For the purpose of tolerance, liposomes are required to deliver theirencapsulated components to phagocytic cells, including DC precursors andsome DCs that are resident in or migrate to lymphoid organs such asspleen and lymph node. Fluorescently labeled EPC liposomes extrudedthrough 400 nm filter membranes were administered to mice either byintravenous injection via the tail vein, or subcutaneous injection atthe tail base to investigate whether the liposomes can target APCs inlymphoid organs. In view of its many advantages, including strongfluorescence, low toxicity, easy labelling process, integration withhigh stability in liposomal membrane and resistance to transfer betweencell membranes, DiI was used as a fluorescent label (Claassen, E. 1992.Post-formation fluorescent labelling of liposomal membranes. In vivodetection, localisation and kinetics. J Immunol Methods 147:231-240). Toassess for uptake of DiI-labelled liposomes by APC, 24 hourspost-injection, spleen (for i.v. injection) and regional lymph nodes(for s.c. and i.p. injection) were collected, processed into cellsuspensions and then stained for MHC-class II, which is expressed byAPCs, including B cells, DCs and macrophages, or CD11c, which isexpressed by DCs.

DiI liposomes are visualised, after uptake by MHC class II+ and CD11c+cells in draining lymph nodes or spleen (FIG. 1, A-C). Liposomes aretaken up by CD11b+ and F480+ macrophages and CD11c+ DCs in the spleenafter i.v. or s.c. injection (FIG. 1, D-H)).

NF-κB Activity in Mice Treated with Liposomes Containing NF-κB Inhibitor

To examine the effect of NF-κB inhibitor entrapped in liposomes on theactivation of NF-κB, groups of C57BL/6 mice (n=^(˜)3) were injected scor iv with OVA-liposome entrapping various NF-κB inhibitors. 24 hourspost-injection, cells in spleen were isolated and then cultured for afurther 24 hr with or without LPS. Nuclear NF-κB activity was determinedby DNA binding of p50/NF-κB in nuclear extracts to consensusoligonucleotides using ELISA (FIG. 2). Nuclear p50 was tested in thisassay, as p50 is highly expressed by APC, and therefore should be asensitive method to determine NF-κB activity even though MHC-II⁺ cellswere not purified from draining lymph nodes.

Cells obtained from mice treated with liposomes displayed low levels ofp50 DNA binding in the absence of LPS treatment ex vivo. As expected,LPS increased the p50 DNA binding in cells from mice receiving emptyliposomes. In contrast, after LPS treatment, cells obtained from miceinjected with liposomes entrapping either quercetin or curcumin had nop50 DNA binding increase in response to LPS. These results indicate thatliposomes entrapping either quercetin or curcumin can block the NF-κBactivity of APCs after delivery in vivo. The induction of specifictolerance in vivo by liposome co-entrapping NF-κB inhibitor and antigen:OVA-specific T-cell model

Stimulation of OVA-Specific T-Cells by Liposomes Co-Entrapping OVA andNF-κB Inhibitor

To determine whether OVA entrapped within liposomal formulations can bepresented by APCs to OVA-specific T-cells in vivo, liposomesco-entrapping OVA and NF-κB inhibitors but without DiI were injectedsubcutaneously into the tail base of naïve Balb/c mice to which DO11.10OVA specific TCR transgenic T-cells labelled with CFSE had beenadoptively transferred. 72 hours after liposome injection, cells fromILN removed from recipient mice were stained with PE labelled KJ126antibody specific for DO11.10 T-cells. CFSE is a cytoplasmic stain thatis shared equally between daughter cells when the parent cell divides.T-cell proliferation can therefore be determined by measuring thedecrease in CFSE fluorescence intensity of OVA-specific T-cells usingflow cytometry.

In mice injected with empty liposomes, T-cell proliferation, as measuredby CFSE dilution from the parent population, was negligible. Incontrast, in mice injected with either OVA-CFA or OVA-liposomes, T-cellsdivided vigorously over 72 hours (FIG. 3). These results clearlydemonstrate that OVA entrapped within liposomes can be delivered to APCsin vivo, where it is processed and presented to T-cells, resulting inantigen-specific proliferation. There was no difference in the T-cellproliferative response in draining lymph nodes whether mice wereinjected with liposomes entrapping OVA and liposomes co-entrapping OVAand NF-κB inhibitor (FIG. 3).

The expansion of T-cells in vivo upon administration of liposomeentrapping OVA and NF-κB inhibitor was similar to previous studies usingDEC-205-conjugated antigen to target DCs in the steady state in vivo.The immature DCs internalizing DEC-205 antigen could first induce theproliferation of T-cells but within a week, most of T-cells were unableto respond to the antigen previously supplied in the conjugate (Mahnke,K., Y. Qian, J. Knop, and A. H. Enk. 2003. Induction of CD4+/CD25+regulatory T cells by targeting of antigens to immature dendritic cells.Blood 101:4862-4869; Hawiger, D., K. Inaba, Y. Dorsett, M. Guo, K.Mahnke, M. Rivera, J. V. Rauetch, R. M. Steinman, and M. C. Nussenzweig.2001. Dendritic cells induce peripheral T cell unresponsiveness understeady state conditions in vivo. J Exp Med 194:769-780). The delayedsuppression of T-cell response was due to the induction of peripheralregulatory T cells by immature DCs, leading to antigen-specifictolerance by a sequence of anergy and deletion of effector T-cells(Mahnke, K., Y. Qian, J. Knop, and A. H. Enk. 2003. Induction ofCD4+/CD25+ regulatory T cells by targeting of antigens to immaturedendritic cells. Blood 101:4862-4869; Lohr, J., B. Knoechel, E. C. Kahn,and A. K. Abbas. 2004. Role of B7 in T cell tolerance. J Immunol173:5028-5035).

Effect of NF-κB Inhibitor Co-Entrapped with OVA in Liposomes onOVA-Specific T-Cell Activity after Restimulation with OVA-PeptideAntigen

The present inventors tested whether liposomes co-entrapping OVA andNF-κB inhibitors would induce antigen-specific tolerance. To test this,DO11.10 OVA specific TCR transgenic T-cells were transferred to BALB/cmice. These mice were primed 18 h later with OVA and CFA to induce anOVA-specific immune response. 7 days after priming, mice were injectedsubcutaneously with liposome formulations containing only OVA or OVA andNF-κB inhibitor. 7 days later, the inguinal lymph node was removed andT-cells were enriched using a nylon wool column. Using [³H]thymidineincorporation as a read out, the OVA-specific immune response of T-cellswas then evaluated after re-stimulating T-cells with splenic DC purifiedfrom naïve syngeneic mice which had been pulsed with OVA-peptide atdifferent concentrations (FIG. 4).

Compared with the positive control OVA-CFA, the OVA-specific response toOVA-liposomes, and OVA-liposomes entrapping NF-κB inhibitors wassuppressed. T-cell proliferation was most suppressed in miceadministered with OVA-liposomes entrapping either quercetin or curcumin,while suppression was less profound in mice administered withOVA-liposomes alone or entrapping Bay 11-7082. These results furthersuggest that the inefficiency of liposomes to retain Bay11-7082 mayreduce the efficiency with which Bay11-7082 is delivered to targetcells, as compared to the highly lipophilic inhibitors curcumin andquercetin.

These results suggest that the suppression of T-cell responses afterre-stimulating with OVA-peptide is likely due to the effect of inducingregulatory T cells. Furthermore, the capacity to block NF-κB activationin target APCs correlates with the extent of antigen-specific T cellsuppression in this assay, suggesting that liposomes can co-deliverantigen and NF-κB inhibitor to in vivo APCs so that the NF-κB activityof APCs is suppressed, with associated antigen-specific T-celltolerance.

Antigen-Specific Suppression of Arthritis by Liposomes is Equivalent toSuppression by DC Treated with an NF-κB Inhibitor

To assess the efficacy of liposomes in the suppression of arthritis,antigen induced arthritis (AIA) was induced by priming and boosting withmBSA in complete Freund's adjuvant twice in two weeks, followed byinjection of mBSA to one knee joint. 6 days later, when joint swellingwas fully clinically expressed, either DC generated in the presence ofBay11-7082 and pulsed with mBSA, or liposomes were injected s.c. to thearthritic mice. Joint swelling score was assessed 4 days later bycalipur reading. Liposomes were either empty, contained mBSA alone,contained mBSA and curcumin, contained quercetin and mBSA, containedBay11-7082 and mBSA, contained curcumin alone with soluble mBSA injectedadjacent, or contained mBSA alone with soluble Bay11-7082 injectedadjacent (FIG. 5). These data indicate that both liposomes containingboth antigen and NF-κB inhibitor combined in a particle, have equivalentefficacy for suppression of acute inflammatory arthritis. However,liposomes containing only one of these components were not effective insuppressing arthritis, even if the other component was injected toadjacent s.c. tissue.

Characterization of Liposomes Entrapping Selected NF-κb Inhibitors andModel Antigens

Liposomes are potential carriers for delivery of selected NF-κBinhibitory compounds, particularly if they are lipophilic. To produceimmune tolerance towards a specific antigen by targeting a NF-κBinhibitor to phagocytic DC precursors in vivo, the present inventorsaimed to co-encapsulate an antigen within NF-κB-loaded liposomes.Several NF-κB inhibitors were chosen for incorporation into liposomes,including Bay11-7082, curcumin and quercetin. The latter two are morelipophilic than Bay11-7082, and hence have greater affinity for thelipid bilayer of liposomes and would be expected to be better retained.Curcumin (1,7-bis(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1,6-heptadiene-3,5-dione)is a phenolic natural product isolated from the rhizome of Curcuma longa(turmeric), which has been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory andantimutagenic activity, with anti-oxidant properties attributed to theinhibition of several signal transduction pathways in multiple celltypes, including p38 MAP kinase and NF-κB (Kim, G. Y., K. H. Kim, S. H.Lee, M. S. Yoon, H. J. Lee, D. O. Moon, C. M. Lee, S. C. Ahn, Y. C.Park, and Y. M. Park. 2005. Curcumin inhibits immunostimulatory functionof dendritic cells: MAPKs and translocation of NF-kappaB as potentialtargets. J Immunol 174:8116-8124). Quercetin is a major flavenoid foundin fruits such as apricots and mangoes, with similar properties (Kim, B.H., S. M. Cho, A. M. Reddy, Y. S. Kim, K. R. Min, and Y. Kim. 2005.Down-regulatory effect of quercitrin gallate on nuclear factor-kappaB-dependent inducible nitric oxide synthase expression inlipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages RAW 264.7. Biochem Pharmacol69:1577-1583).

Liposomes produced from EPC at the concentration of 50 mg/mL were usedas a base formulation in the studies reported here. The feasibility ofco-encapsulating hydrophilic antigens (specifically OVA and mBSA) withinthese liposomes together with selected lipophilic NF-κB inhibitors wastherefore initially investigated. Multilamellar liposomes were preparedby the conventional thin film method and subjected to freeze-thawingcycles to increase encapsulation efficiency of hydrophilicmacromolecules. The resulting liposome samples were subsequentlyextruded through a 400 nm filter membrane to reduce the particle sizefor subsequent in vivo evaluation.

Effect of Co-Encapsulation on the Entrapment Efficiency of NF-κBInhibitor and Antigen Within Liposomes

Liposomes co-entrapping NF-κB inhibitor and antigen were characterizedfor entrapment efficiency, size distribution, zeta potential, andretention of hydrophilic antigen. Despite high entrapment of lipophiliccompounds, liposomes prepared by the conventional thin film methodwithout incorporating freeze-thawing cycles exhibit relatively lowentrapment efficiency for hydrophilic molecules. For instance, previousexperiment using the same condition and EPC lipid concentration toentrap FITC-OVA reported the entrapment efficiency of less than 5%(Copland, M. J., M. A. Baird, T. Rades, J. L. McKenzie, B. Becker, F.Reck, P. C. Tyler, and N. M. Davies. 2003. Liposomal delivery of antigento human dendritic cells. Vaccine 21:883-890). In comparison and in thepresent study, inclusion of a freeze-thawing cycle repeated 5 timesincreased the entrapment of OVA to almost 20%. These results demonstratethat the inclusion of freeze-thawing cycles in the preparation processsubstantially increase the encapsulating efficiency of hydrophiliccompounds.

The entrapment efficiencies of mBSA (approximately 25%) were slightlyhigher than that of OVA. This may be attributed to the methylation ofBSA which presumably increases its lipophilicity. This increasedlipophilicity may thus play a role in the high entrapment of mBSAcompared to OVA. Further, it has been previously reported that albuminproteins from different sources interact with liposomes to differentextents (Dimitrova, M. N., H. Matsumura, A. Dimitrova, and V. Z.Neitchev. 2000. Interaction of albumins from different species withphospholipid liposomes. Multiple binding sites system. Int J BiolMacromol 27::187-194). This was attributed to the differences in aminoacid sequences, leading to differences in surface properties of proteinsand hence protein-liposome interaction.

No statistically significant variation in entrapment of either OVA ormBSA as a result of co-entrapment of NF-κB inhibitors could be observed(p>0.05) although in all cases entrapment of OVA was slightly higher inliposomes co-encapsulating NF-κB than in those not containing inhibitor.Further, when comparing liposomes loaded with the same NF-κB inhibitor,there was no significant difference in entrapment efficiency of NF-κBinhibitor whether liposomal formulations were prepared with OVA or mBSA(p>0.05). Entrapment efficiency of the highly lipophilic compounds,quercetin and curcumin (log P>3) was greater than 80%, while that of theless lipophilic Bay11-7082 (log P of 1.63) was lower, at around 60%.

The lack of relationship between antigen and NF-κB inhibitor onliposomal entrapment was expected. The lipophilic NF-κB inhibitors arelikely entrapped within the lipid bilayer, interacting with aliphaticchains of the phospholipids via hydrophobic interactions, with theirpolar functional groups interacting with the polar heads of thephospholipids. In contrast, hydrophilic antigens are expected to beencapsulated within the aqueous domains, although some interaction withthe surface of the lipid bilayer is likely as a result of thesurface-active nature of proteins. Hence, little interaction is likelyto occur between the lipophilic NF-κB inhibitors and the hydrophilicantigens upon encapsulation within liposomes, resulting in their lack ofinteraction in terms of respective entrapment efficiencies. Theseresults demonstrate that liposomes are suitable for co-delivery of NF-κBinhibitors and antigens, which largely differ in terms of bothhydro/lipophilicity and molecular size.

Effect of Co-Encapsulation on the Particle Size, Polydispersity and ZetaPotential of Liposome Entrapping Antigens and NF-κB Inhibitor

Except for quercetin, the particle sizes of liposomes co-entrapping mBSAand NF-κB inhibitors were around 350 nm. This was similar and notstatistically different (p>0.05) to the size of liposomes encapsulatingNF-κB inhibitors without antigen. However, regardless of the entrappedNF-κB inhibitor, the particle sizes of liposome entrapping OVA wereslightly larger than liposomes entrapping mBSA (409.9±16.9 vs 328.7±22.0rim for the liposome without NF-κB inhibitor) and liposomes withoutantigens. It was noted that liposomes prepared with OVA were less easyto extrude and consequently the protocol of simply extruding through 400nm membranes (10 cycles) was changed to sequential extrusion throughfirst 800 nm membranes (5 cycles) and then 400 nm membranes (5 cycles)for OVA liposomes.

Liposomes co-entrapping quercetin together with antigens had a largerparticle size than liposomes co-entrapping other NF-κB inhibitors andantigen (p<0.05). The reasons for the increase in observed size arelikely due to the insertion of quercetin into the bilayer, affecting thepacking parameter of the bilayer lipids as well as the interaction ofquercetin with the lipid polar head groups via hydrogen bonding.

There was no significant difference in the zeta potential of liposomesentrapping OVA or mBSA (p>0.05). Further, when compared to liposomesencapsulating only NF-κB inhibitor, the encapsulation of antigens didnot affect the zeta potential of these liposomal formulations (p>0.05).Again, considering the location of the antigen within the interioraqueous domains of the liposomes, encapsulation of antigen would not beexpected to alter the charge on the surface of liposomes and hence zetapotential. The lack of change in zeta potential would suggest however,that neither antigen is appreciably adsorbed onto the exterior surfaceof liposomes following removal of non-encapsulated antigen bycentrifugation.

Taken together, these results indicate that the incorporation of eitherantigen did not significantly change the physical properties of NF-κBinhibitor loaded liposomes in terms of size, size distribution and zetapotential when compared to liposomes entrapping only NF-κB inhibitors.

Stability of Liposomal Formulations Co-Entrapping NF-κB Inhibitor andAntigen

The stability of liposomes co-entrapping antigen and NF-κB inhibitors interms of particle size upon storage at 4° C. for 7 days (conditions usedfor storage of formulations as required prior to in vivo evaluation) wasinvestigated. The results indicate that liposomes co-entrapping antigenand NF-κB inhibitor are physically stable when stored under theseconditions for at least 7 days. Therefore, all liposomal formulationswere stored at 4° C. and used within 7 days of preparation.

Retention of Antigen Entrapped in Liposomes Containing Different NF-κBInhibitors

When liposomes are used as carriers to deliver bioactive compounds invivo, hydrophilic compounds, particularly small molecules, entrapped inthe aqueous core may be rapidly lost following administration (e.g., byintravenous injection) because of the interaction of liposomes withserum components such as lipoproteins (Jones, M. N., and A. R. Nicholas.1991. The effect of blood serum on the size and stability ofphospholipid liposomes. Biochim Biophys Acta 1065:145-152; Harashima,H., T. M. Huong, T. Ishida, Y. Manabe, H. Matsuo, and H. Kiwada. 1996.Synergistic effect between size and cholesterol content in the enhancedhepatic uptake clearance of liposomes through complement activation inrats. Pharm Res 13:1704-1709; Maurer, N., D. B. Fenske, and P. R.Cullis. 2001. Developments in liposomal drug delivery systems. ExpertOpin Biol Ther 1:923-947). It has been shown that liposomes can bedestabilized by the transfer of phospholipids from the liposomalmembranes to high density (HDL) and low density lipoproteins (LDL),resulting in leakage of encapsulated drug (Allen, T. M. 1981. A study ofphospholipid interactions between high-density lipoproteins and smallunilamellar vesicles. Biochim Biophys Acta 640:385-397; Scherphof, G.,F. Roerdink, M. Waite, and J. Parks. 1978. Disintegration ofphosphatidylcholine liposomes in plasma as a result of interaction withhigh-density lipoproteins. Biochim Biophys Acta 542:296-307; Hunter, J.A., Z. Shahrokh, T. M. Forte, and A. V. Nichols. 1982. Aggregation oflow density lipoproteins with unilamellar phosphatidylcholine vesicles.Biochem Biophys Res Commun 105:828-834). The presence of only 10% FBS inan incubating medium was reported to dramatically induce leaking ofliposomal contents and as such, can be used as an indication of theserum stability of liposomes (Allen, T. M., and L. G. Cleland. 1980.Serum-induced leakage of liposome contents. Biochim Biophys Acta597:418-426).

The susceptibility of liposomes to destabilization in serum isparticularly influenced by the fluidity of the liposomal membrane.Liposomes composed of saturated phospholipid with high T_(c), such asDSPC have been reported to have enhanced stability and consequentlyreduced leakage of solutes in plasma (Hao, Y. L., Y. J. Deng, Y. Chen,X. M. Wang, H. J. Zhong, and X. B. Suo. 2005. In vitro and in vivostudies of different liposomes containing topotecan. Arch Pharm Res28:626-635; Clary, L., G. Verderone, C. Santaella, and P. Vierling.1997. Membrane permeability and stability of liposomes made from highlyfluorinated double-chain phosphocholines derived from diaminopropanol,serine or ethanolamine. Biochim Biophys Acta 1328:55-64; Senior, J., andG. Gregoriadis. 1982. Stability of small unilamellar liposomes in serumand clearance from the circulation: the effect of the phospholipid andcholesterol components. Life Sci 30:2123-2136; Gregoriadis, G., and J.Senior. 1980. The phospholipid component of small unilamellar liposomescontrols the rate of clearance of entrapped solutes from thecirculation. FEBS Lett 119:43-46). The inclusion of cholesterol in theliposomal formulation has also been shown to improve the stability ofthe bilayer by increasing the packing density of lipids (Allen, T. M.,and L. G. Cleland. 1980. Serum-induced leakage of liposome contents.Biochim Biophys Acta 597:418-426, Kirby, C., J. Clarke, and G.Gregoriadis. 1980. Effect of the cholesterol content of smallunilamellar liposomes on their stability in vivo and in vitro. Biochem J186:591-598). In addition, the presence of cholesterol in the liposomalstructure has been shown to inhibit transfer of phospholipids to HDL(Damen, J., J. Regis, and G. Scherphof. 1981. Transfer and exchange ofphospholipid between small unilamellar liposomes and rat plasma highdensity lipoproteins. Dependence on cholesterol content and phospholipidcomposition. Biochim Biophys Acta 665:538-545).

In the current studies, the model liposomal formulations were composedof EPC without cholesterol. It was decided therefore to determinewhether the liposomal formulations are stable and capable of retainingtheir contents, particularly entrapped antigens, in the presence ofserum. FITC-OVA was used as the antigen to be entrapped in various NF-κBinhibitor-loaded liposomes, which were suspended in HEPES buffer pH 7.4supplemented with 10% FBS. The release of FITC-OVA was monitored over 28hrs at 37° C., and compared to the release from liposomes incubated inbuffer without FBS under the same conditions.

The release profiles of FITC-OVA from various NF-κB inhibitor-loadedliposomes are shown in FIG. 6. More than 90% of FITC-OVA was retained inliposomes after 28 hours incubation in the presence of 10% FBS at 37° C.irrespective of co-entrapped NF-κB inhibitors. Further, there was nosignificant difference between liposomes incubated with or without FBS.The satisfactory retention of entrapped antigen within liposomes uponincubation with FBS may be due to the large molecular structure of theantigen, hindering its diffusion out of the liposome.

Example 2 Either Antigen-Associated Liposomes or Microspheres InduceAntigen-Specific Suppression by Induction of Regulatory T CellsMaterials and Methods Reagents

Poly(d,l-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) microspheres were prepared bycombining ovalbumin, curcumin, PLGA and poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) thenhomogenizing 13500 rpm, followed by stirring at 800 rpm. After densitycentrifugation, the particles were dispersed in 5% w/v sucrose solution,sized and lyophilized. Before use, particles were reconstituted in PBS.OVA-curcumin liposomes were prepared as described in Example 1.

In Vivo Model to Test Antigen-Specific Suppression

DO11.10 mice were primed with OVA and complete Freunds adjuvant (CFA)and 7 days later injected with either curcumin-OVA liposomes orcurcumin-OVA microspheres. After 7 days, splenocytes from these micewere purified and transferred to BALB/c recipients which had been primedwith OVA and CFA 7 days earlier. Recipient mice were sacrificed after 5days and splenocytes were restimulated with varying concentrations ofOVA peptide.

Results Either Antigen-Associated Liposomes or Microspheres InduceAntigen-Specific Suppression by Induction of Regulatory T Cells

Splenocytes from OVA/CFA-primed mice which received OVA-specific DO11.10T cells from OVA/CFA primed mice responded well to OVA peptiderestimulation (FIG. 7, red line). In contrast, when donors of DO11.10 Tcells had been primed with OVA/CFA then treated with OVA-curcuminliposomes (green line) or microspheres (blue line), the splenocyteresponse from recipient mice was suppressed. As a negative control,splenocytes from unprimed mice responded poorly to OVA peptide (blackline). These data indicate that either liposomes or microspheresencapsulating OVA and NF-kB inhibitor could lead to suppression of apreviously primed response to OVA. Suppression can be transferred by Tcells from one animal to the next—an indicator that regulatory T cellshave been induced (Martin E, O'Sullivan B J, Low P and R Thomas.Antigen-specific suppression of a primed immune response by dendriticcells mediated by regulatory T cells secreting interleukin-10. Immunity2003. 18:155-67.)

The disclosure of every patent, patent application, and publicationcited herein is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The citation of any reference herein should not be construed as anadmission that such reference is available as “Prior Art” to the instantapplication.

Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe certainembodiments of the invention without limiting the invention to any oneembodiment or specific collection of features. Those of skill in the artwill therefore appreciate that, in light of the instant disclosure,various modifications and changes can be made in the particularembodiments exemplified without departing from the scope of the presentinvention. All such modifications and changes are intended to beincluded within the scope of the appended claims.

1. A method for treating or preventing an undesirable or deleteriousimmune response to a target antigen in a subject, comprisingadministering concurrently to the subject an inhibitor of the NF-κBpathway and an antigen that corresponds to at least a portion of thetarget antigen, wherein the inhibitor and the antigen are in particulateform.
 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the inhibitor and theantigen are contained in at least one particle.
 3. A method according toclaim 2, wherein the inhibitor and the antigen are contained in the sameparticle.
 4. A method according to claim 2, wherein the inhibitor andthe antigen are contained in different particles.
 5. A method accordingto claim 2, wherein the particle comprises a matrix, carrier orsubstrate.
 6. A method according to claim 2, wherein the particle isselected from nanoparticles and microparticles.
 7. A method according toclaim 2, wherein the particle comprises a lipid matrix or carrier.
 8. Amethod according to claim 7, wherein the particle is liposomal.
 9. Amethod according to claim 2, wherein the particle comprises a metalparticle.
 10. A method according to claim 2, wherein the particlecomprises a polymeric matrix or carrier.
 11. A method according to claim2, wherein the particle comprises a ceramic matrix or carrier.
 12. Amethod according to claim 1, wherein the antigen is selected fromallergens, autoantigens and alloantigens.
 13. A method according toclaim 1, wherein the antigen is selected from proteinaceous antigens,lipid antigens, glycolipid antigens and carbohydrate antigens.
 14. Amethod according to claim 12, wherein the autoantigen is selected fromthe group consisting of lupus autoantigen, Smith, Ro, La, U1-RNP,fibrillin; nuclear antigens, histones, glycoprotein gp70 and ribosomalproteins; pyruvate dehydrogenase dehydrolipoamide acetyltransferase(PCD-E2); hair follicle antigens; human tropomyosin isoform 5 (hTM5);proinsulin, insulin, 1A2 and GAD65; collagen type II, human cartilage gp39 (HCgp39) and gp130-RAPS, dnaJp1, citrullinated proteins and peptides,citrullinated type II collagen, citrullinated vimentin and citrullinatedfibrinogen; myelin basic protein, proteolipid protein (PLP) and myelinoligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG); thyroid stimulating factor receptor(TSH-R); acetylcholine receptor (AchR); gliadin; histones, PLP,glucose-6-phosphate isomerase, thyroglobulin, various tRNA synthetases,proteinase-3 and myeloperoxidase.
 15. A method according to claim 12,wherein the allergen is selected from the group consisting of Fel d I,Der p I, Der p II, Der fI, Der fII; allergens derived from grass, treeand weed (including ragweed) pollens; fungi and moulds; foods such asfish, shellfish, crab, lobster, peanuts, nuts, wheat gluten, eggs milkbee, wasp, hornet, the chirnomidae, housefly, fruit fly, sheep blow fly,screw worm fly, grain weevil, silkworm, honeybee, non-biting midgelarvae; bee moth larvae, mealworm, cockroach, larvae of Tenibrio molitorbeetle spiders and mites, dander, urine, saliva, blood or other bodilyfluid of mammals, airborne particulates in general, latex; and proteindetergent additives.
 16. A method according to claim 12, wherein thetransplantation antigen is derived from donor cells or tissues selectedfrom heart, lung, liver, pancreas, kidney, neural graft components, orfrom donor antigen-presenting cells bearing MHC loaded with self antigenin the absence of exogenous antigen.
 17. A method according to claim 1,wherein the antigen is in a non-nucleic acid form.
 18. A methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the inhibitor of the NF-κB pathwaydecreases the level or functional activity of a member of the NF-κBpathway selected from BTK, LYN, BCR Igα, BCR Igβ, Syk, Blnk, PLCγ2,PKCβ, DAG, CARMA1, BCL10, MALT1, PI3K, PIP3, AKT, p38 MAPK, ERK, COT,IKKα, IKKβ, IKKγ, NIK, RelA/p65, P105/p50, c-Rel, RelB, p52, NIK, Leu13,CD81, CD19, CD21 and its ligands in the complement and coagulationcascade, TRAF6, ubiquitin ligase, Tab2, TAK1, NEMO, NOD2, RIP2, Lck,fyn, Zap70, LAT, GRB2, SOS; CD3 zeta, Slp-76, GADS, ITK, PLCγ1, PKCθ,ICOS, CD28, SHP2, SAP, SLAM and 2B4.
 19. A method according to claim 18,wherein the NF-κB pathway inhibitor decreases the level or functionalactivity of any one or more of RelA/p65, P105/p50, c-Rel, RelB or p52.20. A method according to claim 1, wherein the inhibitor of the NF-κBpathway increases the level or functional activity of a member of theNF-κB pathway selected from SHP1, SHIP, PIR-B, CD22, CD72, FcgRIIB, IκB,P100, CTLA4, PD-1, Cb1, KIR3DL1, KIR3DL2, KIR2DL and Csk.
 21. A methodaccording to claim 1, wherein the NF-κB pathway inhibitor is in anon-nucleic acid form.
 22. A method according to claim 1, wherein theinhibitor of the NF-κB pathway is selected from quecertin, curcumin andBay 11-7082.
 23. A method according to claim 1, further comprising apharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent.
 24. A method accordingto claim 1, wherein the composition is administered by injection, bytopical application or by the nasal or oral route includingsustained-release modes of administration, over a period of time and inamounts which are effective to modulate the immune response to thetarget antigen.
 25. A method according to claim 1, wherein thecomposition is administered systemically.
 26. A method according toclaim 1, wherein the composition is administered subcutaneously.
 27. Amethod according to claim 1, wherein the composition is administeredintradermally.
 28. A method for treating or preventing a condition whosesymptoms or aetiology are associated with the presence or risk ofdevelopment of an undesirable or deleterious immune response to a targetantigen in a subject, the method comprising administering to the subjectan effective amount of an inhibitor of the NF-κB pathway and aneffective amount of an antigen that corresponds to at least a portion ofthe target antigen, wherein the inhibitor and the antigen are inparticulate form.
 29. Use of an inhibitor of the NF-κB pathway and anantigen that corresponds to at least a portion of a target antigen,wherein the inhibitor and the antigen are in particulate form in themanufacture of a medicament for suppressing an immune response to thetarget antigen, or for treating or preventing an allergy or anautoimmune disease associated with the target antigen, or for treatingor preventing a transplant rejection associated with the target antigen.30. Use of an inhibitor of the NF-κB pathway and an antigen thatcorresponds to at least a portion of a target antigen, wherein theinhibitor and the antigen are in particulate form in the study andmodulation of an immune response to the target antigen.
 31. Use of aninhibitor of the NF-KB pathway and an antigen that corresponds to atleast a portion of a target antigen, wherein the inhibitor and theantigen are in particulate form for suppressing an immune response tothe target antigen, or for treating or preventing an allergy or anautoimmune disease associated with the target antigen, or for treatingor preventing a transplant rejection associated with the target antigen.